[pic] | COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES |

Brussels, 04.08.2006

SEC(2006) 1058

COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Annexe to the

REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION Directorate-General for Humanitarian Aid - (ECHO) Annual Report 2005 {COM(2006) 441 final}

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Country-by-country overview of DG ECHO’s humanitarian operations 4

1. Africa 4

1.1. Horn of Africa and Eastern Africa 4

1.2. Central Africa/Great Lakes 10

1.3. Southern Africa 15

1.4. West Africa 19

1.5. Echo flight 27

2. Caribbean/Pacific/Indian Ocean 28

3. Eastern Europe, Russian Federation, Southern Caucasus, Central Asia, including Mongolia 33

4. Mediterranean and Middle East (incl. Iraq) 38

5. Asia 41

5.1. Tsunami 41

5.2. Pakistan/India (Kashmir Earthquake) 44

5.3. South Asia 45

5.4. South-East Asia 50

5.5. East Asia 55

6. Central and South America 56

7. DIPECHO 58

7.1. DIPECHO Caribbean 59

7.2. DIPECHO Andean Community 60

7.3. DIPECHO Central Asia 60

7.4. DIPECHO South Asia 61

II. Tables 62

II.1. DG ECHO budget 1993 - 2005 62

II.2. DG ECHO contracts 1998-2005 63

II.3. Financial decisions for EC Humanitarian aid by source of Finance 64

II.4. Funding decisions for humanitarian aid in 2005 65

II.5. Distribution of Contracts by Partner category 66

II.6. DG ECHO Contracts by nationality of NGOs and by UN agencies - 2005 67

II.7. List of acronyms 68

I. COUNTRY-BY-COUNTRY OVERVIEW OF DG ECHO’S HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS[1]

AFRICA

Horn of Africa and Eastern Africa

Eritrea

Humanitarian needs

The year 2005 can be described as a highly tense and difficult year for Eritrea in terms of economic and social development, the regional situation and international diplomatic status. The 5 years unresolved border dispute with its neighbour Ethiopia have continuously dragged the country further down in almost all aspects of the internal situation, household income, livelihoods, health, food security, general poverty.

Water shortages, despite some rains, remain acute and widespread, as consequences of successive years of poor rains. Unfortunately, one normal rainy season between several drought periods does not have enough durable impact on the ground water reserves. The lack of safe and adequate water and poor sanitation results in high rates of diarrhoeal diseases, compounding factor to the already alarming widespread malnutrition. Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rates of children under 5 years old are now regularly above 20%.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

The European Commission, on proposal from DG ECHO, has adopted in 2005 two decisions: the first one with the objective of distributing emergency agricultural inputs and animal feed for draught oxen to the most vulnerable in order to support the planting season. The second decision aimed at addressing the decline in health and livelihoods through a response to acute, moderate and severe malnutrition, improvement in the quality and quantity of water supply for affected populations and their livestock.

Livestock herds’ depletion is a common trend in a country with no real favourable period for recovery and herds rejuvenation. As milk production has a direct impact on the nutritional status of the population, and in particular on children, support to livestock has proven to be effective in tackling malnutrition.

The achievements obtained in 2005 in the two main sectors of water and malnutrition included: (i) the construction/rehabilitation of 28 water points benefiting around 25 000 people and (ii) a GAM rate in the Anseba Region below 15% for about 10 000 for children less then 5 years old.

LRRD

The establishment of a national nutritional surveillance mechanism marked major progress in addressing malnutrition. Progress on the problem of receding ground water levels has however been much more complicated. A major constraint is the lack of successful cooperation between the Government and development actors.

Partners

The major partners were UN agencies, the Red-Cross and the International Rescue Committee.

Decisions[2] | Contracts[3] |

EUR (EDF*) 620 000 | EUR 619 830 |

EUR 4 000 000 | EUR 3 417 699 |

EUR 4 620 000 | EUR 4 037 529 |

*EDF: Amount taken from the European Development Fund- B-envelope, which covers “ unforeseen needs such as emergency assistance where such support cannot be financed from the EU budget,

Ethiopia

Ethiopia ranks 170th out of 177 in the 2004 Human Development Index (HDI). More than 50% of the population is chronically malnourished and only half of it has access to safe drinking water. Compounded by deforestation and other environmental damage, it is subject to increasing problems of climate change. For a population of 78 million, with 2 million more each year, this vulnerability means that acute life-threatening problems arise rapidly and on a major scale.

Local capacity to address such emergency needs is limited. In the pastoralist drought affected areas in particular, capacities are very low. This is especially the case in the health sector. International development support to the health system, such as the global fund, is constrained by fragile management capacities compounded by a decentralisation process.

Of particular concern is the traditionally fragile state of food security that, despite massive international support, the country has not been able to improve over the past few decades. The most vulnerable populations are the pastoralists and those affected by inter-ethnic conflicts in the country. This often covers the same population.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

The European Commission has adopted in 2005 a decision for an amount of EUR 4.5 million, in order to provide humanitarian aid for saving and preserving lives of those populations that are endangered as a result of prolonged drought and internal conflicts, through the provision of medical assistance, nutritional support, essential water supply and livestock support, and protection of the civilian population.

The three main focal sectors in 2005 have been drought, epidemics and protection. Around 90 000 people benefited from water for themselves and their livestock. Malaria and Khala Azar epidemics have been kept under control with the help of DG ECHO funds: about 1 900 000 persons have benefited from a curative and/or prophylaxis treatment. Finally, around 500 000 people have been protected thanks to ICRC actions.

LRRD

Ethiopia was considered as a priority country for a linkage strategy between emergency aid and development. However, only limited LRRD has been implemented in the field. Notwithstanding the considerable flows of development aid, humanitarian needs remain to be addressed and the difficult dialogue with the government in the 2005 post-election phase could make DG ECHO’s role even more relevant in the future.

Partners

The major partners were the Red-Cross and Action contre la Faim.

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR (EDF) 4 500 000 | EUR 2 947 623 |

Kenya

Humanitarian needs

Northern Kenya is subject to climatic changes resulting in cycles of flooding and drought. The mainly pastoralist populations in these areas are particularly vulnerable due to years of marginalisation and dependence on natural resources for livestock grazing. They have not fully recovered from the previous drought cycles, the last of which hit hard in 2004, leading to the re-entry of DG ECHO. Development actors have largely neglected these areas, so there is no national plan for recovery from drought cycles currently in place. This makes the population vulnerable to shocks. The failure of rains since 2001 has rendered the populations even more vulnerable and led the President of Kenya to declare a disaster on 2nd January 2006.

The needs are livelihoods orientated and relate to livestock and human health (food security, water and sanitation, nutrition).

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

2005 saw the end of drought response projects implemented following DG ECHO re-entry into the country in 2004, in response to the 2004 drought. New projects were prepared under the EUR 2 million decision adopted end 2005 which will in part mitigate the resultant effects of a penury of natural resources on an already vulnerable population group.

LRRD

No action was implemented in 2005. Discussions were ongoing with EC delegation about the EC Delegation’s Drought Contingency fund to be funded by the EDF.

Partners

The major partners were Action contre la Faim, Care, Red-Cross and Oxfam.

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR 2 000 000 | EUR - |

Somalia

Humanitarian needs

Somalia continued to suffer from the effects of 14 years of civil war, anarchy and warlordism. The Transitional Federal Government put in place at the end of 2004 is still in a consolidating phase in order to really control the country.

The very fragile political setting, further aggravated by climate changes generating cycles of droughts and floods, has crippled traditional coping mechanism, and has resulted in widespread serious humanitarian needs, notably in the health and nutrition sectors but also in food security and water and sanitation. The absence of a functioning government and administration and the destruction of social services and of the infrastructure contribute to the perpetuation of these long-term chronic needs. The large majority of the population is living in absolute poverty. It is estimated that nearly 50% of the population live without access to sanitation; nearly 80% without access to safe water and 72% do not have access to health services.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

The Commission has adopted in 2005 a Global Plan for an amount of EUR 9 million in order to maintain and if possible improve the health and nutritional status of targeted beneficiaries, through the support of health and nutrition, water and sanitation, and food security interventions.

The main focal sectors have been nutrition, water and animal health, given the importance of livestock in a country where 70% of the population is nomadic. Access remains the key humanitarian issue in Central and Southern Somalia and as a result, delays in implementing and difficulties in monitoring have been registered. Nevertheless, around 580 000 people benefited of nutrition assistance, 140 000 have improved access to safe water and 1 500 000 animals have been vaccinated.

LRRD

The prolonged crisis, little tangible results of aid and a further deteriorating security environment have led many donors to turn away from the central and southern zone of Somalia. Most assistance is indeed directed to relatively peaceful northern regions (notably Somaliland).

The allocation of EUR 100 million in the 5th Somalia Rehabilitation plan provides some hope, however, especially following DG Development’s statement agreeing to work with DG ECHO " to progressively refocus humanitarian activities and funding on core emergency needs in Somalia“.

Partners

The major partners were: the Red-Cross, Médecins sans Frontières, Action contre la Faim and Italian International Cooperation.

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR 9 000 000 | EUR 6 564 595 |

Sudan

Humanitarian needs

Initiated by the signing of a Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in January 2005 and confirmed by the constitution of a Government of National Unity, the peace process continued in 2005 despite former Vice President John Garang’s death in August. However, while displaced people started to return at a slow but steady pace, insecurity was often a concern in a number of regions and humanitarian indicators remained worrying in many areas of Sudan, affected by more than 20 years of conflict.

The peace process was not extended to Darfur, where the conflict resumed strongly after the rainy season and the situation became more and more chaotic and volatile. The number of people affected by the conflict and in need of assistance continued to increase, reaching half the population of the Darfur region.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

The main objective in 2005 was to provide assistance to save and protect lives among the most vulnerable and needy populations through integrated emergency assistance. DG ECHO support aimed additionally at stabilising conditions of people and communities with severely strained coping mechanisms and, whenever possible, contributing to a gradual process of recovery through the enhancement of self-reliance. The main sectors supported were health and nutrition, water and environmental sanitation, emergency preparedness and response, household food security, protection and support to logistics and special mandates. DG ECHO continued covering the whole territory with a neutral approach and according to needs in strict respect of internationally recognised humanitarian principles.

In the course of the year, the initial allocation of EUR 20 million programmed for 2005 was increased with an additional EUR 15 million for continuation of assistance to the victims of the crisis in Darfur. This response in Darfur has contributed to the stabilisation of the humanitarian situation in displaced camps and to an increase in the assistance to affected population living in remote areas.

By the end of the year and in order to take full advantage of the dry season, DG ECHO decided to mobilise further EUR 8 million to provide vital support to the most pressing needs emerging from thousands of displaced and refugees spontaneously returning to their areas of origin.

Finally, DG ECHO swiftly drew up an emergency humanitarian aid decision for EUR 2 million to help deal with a serious outbreak of yellow fever in the South Kordofan region. This region is a ‘crossroads’ with many population movements. If left unchecked, the epidemic could have quickly extended to other parts of the country.

LRRD

DG ECHO continued its commitment to advocacy of humanitarian principles and its efforts to liaise with other Commission services and donors in order to perform adequate complementary interventions.

LRRD possibilities have been meagre until now due to the prolonged suspension of formal cooperation, with only limited linkage with the Food Security budget line and the Humanitarian Programme in a number of sectors such as food security and water and sanitation. However, with the signature of the comprehensive peace agreement, and the related potential resumption of formal cooperation and development assistance, LRRD continuum will become effective, eventually leading to take over of existing longer term DG ECHO interventions, while DG ECHO focuses on short term interventions to address new needs arising from i.e . returnees.

DG ECHO will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the Sudanese population in need, affected by conflict and natural disasters as long as alarming humanitarian indicators appear. It is hoped that with peace in the different regions of Sudan and a more stable situation, rehabilitation and sustainable development assistance will be able to gradually take over and build upon the relief work provided for decades.

Partners

The major partners were UN agencies, International Rescue Committee, Médecins sans Frontières, the Red-Cross and OXFAM.

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR 20 000 000 | EUR 19 979 610 |

EUR 15 000 000 | EUR 9 669 973 |

EUR* 8 000 000 | EUR - |

EUR 2 000 000 | EUR 1 600 052 |

EUR 45 000 000 | EUR 31 249 635 |

* Decision adopted on December 26th 2005. Operations will be completed throughout 2006.

Uganda

Humanitarian needs

Humanitarian needs remained high in 2005. For most of the year, the prospects for peace and an improved security situation led partners to channel funds with relative ease and consolidate programmes across the board in northern Uganda. Decongestion and a military defeat were much talked about by GoU and Ugandan army, but the 1.4 million displaced remained largely in camps with some satellite camps (or decongestion sites) appearing near to larger camps. Security worsened in October 2005 and operations were interrupted late in the year due to the issuing of arrest warrants for the top 5 rebel Lord’s Resistance Army leaders. Direct attacks on international humanitarian aid staff occurred for the first time in the history of the 20 year conflict as well.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

A DG ECHO evaluation of the 2004 and 2005 programme endorsed the strategy developed and provided some good pointers for an eventual exit strategy in the years to come.

DG ECHO’s support is 50% focused on health needs which are by far the highest in the current context. Hospitals are also supported. Other sectors of intervention are: water and sanitation, shelter, non–food items, food security, protection and coordination.

DG ECHO’s programme in Uganda is reaching almost all the displaced persons camps and well over the 1.4 million affected people, some of whom will be receiving support in more than one sector. Beneficiaries per sector are difficult to determine given the multisectoral nature of the projects and the fact that the same beneficiaries are recipients of aid in more than one sector.

LRRD

Prospects for LRRD remained strong in the health sector. A better coordination allowed a more flexible and adapted response to service delivery needs of the conflict affected populations by using the EC funds and instruments available immediately.

A Conflict Response Capacity Building Programme (EUR 2 million) aimed to improve national conflict and disaster response mechanism; to enhance the IDPs coping mechanisms and social protection in camps; to pilot test some concrete areas of conflict prevention, management and resolution (CPMR) and to assist in the preparation of longer term and larger EU intervention in the area of reconciliation and recovery in Northern Uganda. The EC Delegation requested EUR 20 million from the B-envelope (EDF) to finance reconciliation & recovery programme for Northern Uganda. Finally, planning for further programme for rehabilitation (EUR19-20 million) was also undergone.

Partners

The major partners were: ICRC, .AVSI, Action contre la Faim, Médecins sans frontières and FAO (UN agency).

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR 14 000 000 | EUR 14 000 000 |

Central Africa/Great Lakes

Burundi

Humanitarian needs

Chronic complex emergency arising from the previous 10 years of civil war and population displacements. However, following the latest peaceful elections and formation of a new government under Pierre Nkurunziza, measures are being taken to prepare for a major repatriation exercise. Also, fighting in Bujumbura Rural seems to have boiled down to a merely symbolic status.

If in 2004, a total of 80 000 facilitated refugees from Tanzania have been repatriated to Burundi, in 2005, a total of 61 000 returnees have been repatriated (UNHCR). Currently, almost 117 000 people continue to live in IDP camps inside their own country and an additional 448 000 Burundians live as refugees, according to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), with the majority residing in neighboring Tanzania. As Burundi's political transition progresses with the democratically elected government of President Pierre Nkurunziza in August 2005, the pace of voluntary returns can be expected to increase.

The African Peacekeeping Mission in Burundi (AMIB) has handed over its mandate to the UN Peacekeeping Mission on 1 June 2004, which now plays an important role in ensuring certain stability with a maximum of 5 650 men. Following fighting since early June in DRC, approx. 20 000 thousand Congolese refugees from Kamanyola and Uvira arrived and were relocated in three refugee camps. There have also been Rwandan asylum-seekers in Burundi since April 2005, with 8 000 at the end of 2005. UNHCR is preparing a camp for them at Musasa in Ngozi.

Reemerging epidemics of cholera, meningitis and malaria need a constant emergency monitoring and response. Adding to this, unfavourable climatic conditions and cassava disease continue to create widespread food insecurity and pockets of acute malnutrition.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

The principal objective of the decision adopted by the Commission (EUR 17 million) was to contain within emergency thresholds morbidity and mortality ascribable to common diseases and malnutrition.

The specific objectives were: the setting-up of a co-ordination system for a multi-sector rapid response capacity with UN OCHA, other UN partners, OFDA and partners and the reinforcement of protection measures for IDPs and refugees in general and women and children in particular.

Achievements:

- Health Services: Target population has equitable access to basic healthcare; rapid response to epidemics is in place

- Water/Sanitation: Targeted population (mainly displaced and refugees) has equitable access to water and basic sanitation.

- Nutrition: Acute malnutrition rates are contained within emergency thresholds and feeding centres integrated into existing national health structures.

- Food: Food insecure households are provided with food and seeds and tool kit distributions are organised in an efficient way, including the introduction of mosaic resistant manioc varieties. Children are the principal beneficiaries of both the Nutrition and food security programmes (therapeutic and supplementary feeding for under 5s)

- Shelter/non food items: Victims of sudden-onset crises are provided with life-saving assistance and non food items and children in need are provided with educational material.

- Psychosocial: Pilot projects focussing on victims of sexual violence and traumatised children and women successfully put into place on communal level.

- Special mandates: Protection and co-ordination mandates of international agencies are supported.

- Demining: The landmine problem is faced in major repatriation areas and allows repatriation.

- Co-ordination: to continue closer consultation with UN agencies in order to produce a joint task-force on needs assessment before end of the year and enhance GHD (Good Humanitarian Donorship)

LRRD

A new LRRD strategy paper for Burundi 2005 has been drafted after inter-service consultation with DG DEVELOPMENT, EUROPEAID and the EC Delegation. In 2005, partial hand-overs from DG ECHO to the Delegation (EDF) took place in the field of nutrition and health. The annual DG ECHO workshop pursued its all-inclusive approach by having DG DEVELOPMENT, EUROPEAID and the Delegation participate.

Following the LRRD strategy paper, DG ECHO started to co-ordinate more closely with the Delegation in order to identify an LRRD programme for 2006.

Partners

The major partners were UN agencies, Caritas, Action contre la Faim, Danchurch Aid and Médecins sans Frontières.

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR 17 000 000 | EUR 16 695 869 |

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Humanitarian needs

The east of the country (Ituri, Maniema, S.Kivu N. Kivu and N. Katanga) continues to suffer insecurity despite a relative improvement due to the more aggressive deployment of UN forces. This insecurity has prevented the east enjoying the same 'peace dividend' as the west of the country. Populations suffer harassment and violence forcing them to flee their homes and sources of economic livelihood. As essential social services continue to be neglected there is a resultant problem of food insecurity, poor health and social dislocation. The looting and violence has led to further infrastructure deterioration which not only hampers economic activity but also humanitarian interventions. Eastern DRC has some of the worst health statistics in the world with mortality rates in certain areas reaching unacceptably severe levels.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

The principal objective of DG ECHO's strategy was to contain the mortality and morbidity rates among the targeted population groups within emergency thresholds and to support the resettlement and stabilization process where possible.

The specific objectives aimed at providing (1) population of targeted health zones with an equitable access to a minimum package of basic healthcare, with special emphasis on women and children, (2) displaced, resettling and host families with an integrated package of community-based assistance designed to respond to immediate needs, while paving the way for a rapid return to productive activity and thus contributing to the stabilization of conflict –affected areas.

Unfortunately surveys continue to show that mortality levels in conflict affected areas have been resistant to the best efforts of humanitarian intervention and this despite almost 80% achievement of all the quantitative objectives of the health programme. If the situation has not got worse, it clearly shows that security improvements that are outside the control of humanitarians are critical to real improvements in people’s general well-being. On the other hand infrastructure and food security programmes have had a very positive qualitative impact, particularly in terms of local appreciation. They have introduced seeds and tools and demonstrated how to introduce new crops and small animals. This has not only been very popular but has brought down malnutrition figures and helped over 150 000 returning families to re-establish their livelihoods.

Road rehabilitation has been one of the most successful activities. It has brought communities together and thus promoted reconciliation; it has opened areas to assistance and then subsequently to markets and it has put money salary, or food for the building work (whichever was more necessary) into peoples hands and re-given them purchasing power, pride and dignity.

LRRD

DG ECHO has secured an agreement with the World Bank and the EDF to pass over support for up to 25 health zones in the course of 2006. Delays with their procedures prevented some already going over in 2005. The EDF’s B envelope of EUR 70 million for essential rehabilitation and economic stimulation in post conflict areas should be approved by early 2006 and begin to relieve DG ECHO in certain sectors in the second half of the year.

Partners

The major partners were COOPI, Malteser Hilfsdienst, UN agencies (UNHCR, UNICEF, OCHA), Aide Médicale Internationale, Care, Médecins du Monde, Medair and German Agro Action.

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR 38 000 000 | EUR 37 658 516 |

Congo Brazzaville

Humanitarian needs

The political improvements in Pool, which was the last remaining unstable region in Congo, allowed the humanitarian situation to return to normal. Remaining needs were considered minimal and are in the process of being dealt with by regular government services and development programming.

A separate issue of Congo DRC refugees living in Congo Brazzaville is also in the process of being resolved as UNHCR continue their assisted repatriation programme which they aim to complete by end 2006. Some 40 000 refugees remain to be repatriated.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

The main objective of keeping people alive and living with a minimum of dignity through this period of insecurity in the Pool seems to have been achieved. Surveys show acceptable nutritional and mortality levels.

The repatriation has got off to a slow start as water levels in the river did not allow large boats to ferry refugees in the expected numbers; Also UNHCR has had problems recruiting adequate numbers of staff and partners to get the programme up to full steam. Less than a fifth of the expected 25 000 refugees were repatriated in 2005.

LRRD

All DG ECHO programmes came to an end by mid 2005. Government run Health services and economic lively hood programmes funded by development donors, amongst which the 9th EDF have now taken over.

The major partner was a UN agency (UNHCR).

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR 2 000 000 | EUR 2 000 000 |

Central African Republic

Humanitarian needs

The situation in the country remains very difficult with crushing poverty and very poor services. However a consensus believes that these problems are considered to be structural and rooted in a history of poor governance and a chronic lack of development rather than resulting from some sudden and easily rectifiable event. Only in the north has insecurity forced people to flee their homes and thus put them in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. However as they have taken refuge in Chad it is there that DG ECHO has helped to provide them with assistance;

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

DG ECHO will continue to keep a close eye on the humanitarian situation in CAR through its office in Kinshasa and its contacts with the EU delegation, Member States, UN and INGO partners.

LRRD

All DG ECHO funded programming has ceased in 2005 with partners continuing their activities with funding from 9th EDF and World Bank Licus[4] programme.

Tanzania

Humanitarian needs

Tanzania continues to host the largest refugee population on the African continent. The refugees are almost entirely dependent on humanitarian aid for survival. At the beginning of 2005 there were 400 000 refugees from Burundi and DRC (most Rwandese having returned) living in 13 camps in Western Tanzania under UNHCR protection. During 2005 one camp closed and the refugee population decreased by approximately 55 000, due mainly to Burundian repatriation, but also to Congolese repatriation, which began to be facilitated in October 2005. There were few registered new arrivals, reflecting a tougher government response to asylum-seekers and a serious blockage in refugee status determination procedures. Despite major improvements in the refugees’ countries of origin, most refugees were not yet able to return home. However, Tanzanian law precludes self-reliance and integration, so humanitarian needs include food, water, shelter, protection and health care.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

DG ECHO’s first aim was to continue the support it had provided for several years to this refugee “Care and maintenance” operation. The second aim was to support facilitated repatriation of refugees on the Tanzanian side of the border. This refugee programme had become a protracted operation, no longer ranking as a top priority for many donors. The objectives of DG ECHO’s Tanzania Global Plan 2005 were met. An amount of EUR 13.5 million was allocated to the refugee programme, via UNHCR, UNICEF and Spanish Red Cross. Programmes were supported in the sectors of water, sanitation, logistics, health, nutrition, shelter, protection, repatriation and education. The European Commission continued to be UNHCR’s key donor for this programme and 400 000 refugees, as well as some members of the local community near the camps, benefited from this funding. Specific efforts were made to target vulnerable groups, such as unaccompanied minors, disabled people and elderly persons without family support. Attention was paid to gender-related problems, via the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Programme. Reproductive health services continued to receive support, with Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV programmes running in every camp. In the sphere of repatriation, the programme was well organised, using Project Profile registration system as much as possible and achieving the goal of voluntary return in safety and dignity. Congolese repatriation began in October with a limited capacity, due to constraints in DRC and in crossing Lake Tanganyika. In 2005 nearly 62 000 Burundians were repatriated as well as nearly 7 000 Congolese. The general and under-5 mortality rates remained below 1/1000/month and vaccination coverage was over 98%.

LRRD

This has been partially addressed by EDF expenditure in three areas: the Special Programme for Refugee-Affected Areas (SPRAA, EUR 2 million, 2001-7), Article 73 Cotonou support for the longer-term camp sectors of education, environment, health and water/sanitation (EUR 4 million, 2003-5) and the transfer of food aid to the EC Food Security Budget Line, administered by EUROPEAID (since the end of 2003).

Partners

The major partners were UN agencies and the Red Cross.

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR 13 500 000 | EUR 13 500 000 |

Southern Africa

Angola

Humanitarian needs

Between the ceasefire in April 2002 and the end of 2004, more than 3 800 000 war-affected people have resettled or returned to their areas of origin, up to 70% of them without any form of assistance from the local authorities or humanitarian organisations, and to areas where the minimum conditions for resettlement are not in place. Tackling the latter issue was the major challenge for humanitarian partners in 2004, and with the recognition in mid-2004 that the country had passed into the transitional phase, it also became a major objective of medium and longer-term funding. The key issue for the link between relief and post-conflict reconstruction assistance was to provide vulnerable groups in the resettlement areas with the minimum conditions and services to ensure their survival and anchor them in their communities, as a starting point for more durable solutions.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

The objective for Angola during 2005 was to complete the phase down of DG ECHO’s intervention in order to withdraw from the country. This phase down was successfully completed, and the Luanda office closed in June 2005. Humanitarian needs in the country, which are still substantial though now largely covered by longer-term transitional programmes, are monitored from Harare.

However, an outbreak of Marburg viral haemorrhagic fever in March 2005 – which turned out to be the worst epidemic ever recorded of the disease - resulted in the adoption in March and April of a primary emergency (EUR 500 000) and an emergency (EUR 1.5 million) decision respectively in order to tackle and contain the outbreak.

In all, a total of almost 1 500 000 beneficiaries, mainly women and children, were reached by interventions funded by DG ECHO

LRRD

The transition from relief to rehabilitation was successfully completed in Angola, after a carefully-planned, 3 year process involving DGs ECHO, DEVELOPMENT and EUROPEAID.

Partners

The major partners were UN agencies and Médecins sans Frontières.

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR 500 000 | EUR 500 000 |

EUR 1 500 000 | EUR 1 481 190 |

EUR 2 000 000 | EUR 1 981 190 |

Lesotho & Swaziland

Humanitarian needs

The current crisis in Lesotho is also attributed to poverty, food insecurity and the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which has built up slowly over the years. Poverty has increased significantly due to the restructuring of the mining sector in South Africa and the reduced demand for unskilled labour. Mine remittance has significantly declined. The continuing decline in household food security emanating from erratic weather patterns and a decrease in arable land has worsened livelihoods. The death of thousands of productive members of society as a result of HIV/AIDS has compounded the impact of poverty on children and youth.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

The total amount of the 2005 decision was EUR 1.75 million (covering from June 2005 until May 2006). The objective of the decision was to provide basic assistance to vulnerable populations in Lesotho and Swaziland. 50 000 people benefited from emergency aid funded by DG ECHO. Assistance was directed towards orphans, other vulnerable children and households headed by a single parent and elderly.

LRRD

The objective of the projects funded by DG ECHO is to move gradually from relief to more suitable and sustainable rehabilitation. DG ECHO focused on supporting appropriate food security interventions that could help beneficiaries reduce their extreme vulnerability. All project supported by DG ECHO included a strong HIV/AIDS preventive and palliative component.

Partners

The major partners were the Red-Cross and UN agencies

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR 1 750 000 | EUR 1 707 423 |

Malawi

Humanitarian needs

The humanitarian needs in Malawi in 2005 were in the sectors of food security and nutrition, as well as water and sanitation as 4.4 million people faced serious food shortages after a prolonged drought. The underlying chronic structural situation was additionally exacerbated by the increasing prices of maize, and by the rate of HIV/AIDS infection. The Government declared a state of national disaster on October 14th.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

DG ECHO's withdrawal from Malawi in 2004 had to be revised against the above background, and an emergency decision was taken in November 2005 (EUR 5 million) to fund interventions to support nutrition through the Nutritional Rehabilitation Units and Community Therapeutic Care, emergency agricultural interventions and water and sanitation activities.

LRRD

The interventions funded by DG ECHO were coordinated and coherent with those funded by the Delegation and other donors. In order to ensure sustainability, DG ECHO interventions provided support only to boost existing structures during the hunger season, so that the normal, extensive development programme could easily take over

Partners

The major partners were Save the Children, UN agencies, Care and Action contre la Faim.

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR 5 000 000 | EUR 3 206 012 |

Namibia

An intervention for EUR 1 million on the 2004's budget in support of the repatriation of Angolan refugees came to an end in December 2005. DG ECHO continued to monitor the humanitarian situation first from Luanda, and thereafter from Harare

Zambia

A EUR 3.5 million funding decision in 2005 provided further support to the repatriation of Angolan refugees. This represented DG ECHO’s final contribution to this Voluntary Repatriation operation.

The major partner was the International Organisation for Migration.

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR (EDF) 3 500 000 | EUR 3 500 000 |

Zimbabwe

Humanitarian needs

In 2005 Zimbabwe continued to face a complex and protracted crisis due to a combination of political situation and erratic weather conditions. The aggravating economic crisis and rapid decline of basic social services added to the increasing stress of rural communities. The high HIV/AIDS infection levels affecting up the 25% of the adult population had an overall negative impact on people's lives and country economy. The life expectancy has dropped from 61 years in the early 1990s to just 35 years in 2004 and over a million children became orphans This extreme vulnerability was further worsened by a “clean-up” operation ('Murambatsvina') launched by government in May 2005, which left 700 000 people in urban and suburban areas around the country homeless or deprived of their livelihoods.

The resident vulnerable population, in particular people living with HIV/AIDS, orphans and other vulnerable children (OVC) as well as internally displaced persons (IDPs) were in need of humanitarian assistance.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

The principal objective of 2005 interventions was to contribute to reducing the extreme vulnerability of population groups at particular risk in Zimbabwe by providing basic relief assistance. On 23rd of March 2005 the Commission adopted an ad hoc decision for Zimbabwe of EUR 15 million with duration of 18 months. Based on the strategy developed by DG ECHO and its partners, this decision focused on an integrated assistance to the most vulnerable groups, with a particular focus on water and sanitation, food security and mainstreaming of HIV/AIDS prevention. Furthermore Commission aid was focused on internally displaced people, including victims of the ‘clean up’ operation. Those vulnerable groups were provided an integrated assistance through food security, non-food items, HIV/AIDS prevention and improved access to safe water and sanitation facilities. In addition DG ECHO assisted the vulnerable population by mitigation of the consequences of HIV/AIDS through Home Based Care and assistance to orphans and other vulnerable children.

LRRD

The signature of the 9th EDF CSP was suspended by the Council Decision of 18 February 2002. The EC financial support has been re-oriented to programmes in direct benefit of the Zimbabwean population, social sectors, democratisation, respect for human rights and the rule of law. Since the evolution of the situation in the country has not permitted to meet the conditions for the full resumption of the EC development cooperation. Due to above it is not possible to engage in a comprehensive LRRD process in Zimbabwe. Main pre-condition to envisage the LRRD programmes in future is an improvement and stabilization of the political situation in the country.

Partners

The major partners were: UN agencies, IOM, World Vision and German Agro Action.

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR 15 000 000 | EUR 14 237 332 |

West Africa

A regional response to epidemics in West Africa

Humanitarian needs

Communicable diseases are highly endemic in West Africa. The vaccine coverage of the population is generally low and the transmission of infections is thus enhanced. Poverty, lack of basic sanitation facilities, low hygienic standards and malnutrition in post-emergency or structurally weak countries increase the vulnerability to communicable diseases.

Meningitis, cholera, yellow fever and measles can develop into major disasters. A failure to control epidemics can lead to an explosion of viral hemorrhagic fevers, shigellosis and hepatitis. Smaller epidemics have to be equally addressed on a case by case basis to prevent their escalation to large scale epidemics, which are more difficult to manage and therefore affecting the population to a greater extent.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

In 2005, a EUR 1.5 million decision was taken with the objective of reducing morbidity and mortality rates related to outbreaks of disease in West Africa. An unusual long and heavy rainy season led to major cholera outbreaks in 2005. As a result DG ECHO supported cholera interventions in Liberia, Guinea Conakry, Guinea Bissau and in the Republic of Sao Tome and Principe. Support was also provided to WHO’s mass vaccination campaign against yellow fever in Côte d'Ivoire. Cholera outbreaks in Mali, Senegal, the Gambia, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Benin and Niger did not require external support. Yellow fever and cholera trends were followed in the whole sector but no intervention was specifically funded.

LRRD

External support to emergency containment of epidemics is efficient but it may also decrease the motivation to develop autonomous responses. External actors shall develop a comprehensive approach; they shall also coordinate with WHO and specialised agencies and integrate local capacities to stimulate development oriented processes.

Under the 9th EDF fund, the European Commission dedicated part of its EUR 15 million Regional West Africa Health Program to the improvement of epidemics’ management. In addition, a strategic partnership on health and development was signed in July 2004 between the European Commission and WHO to strengthen local capacities and address in particular meningitis epidemics.

Partners

Major partners were: WHO , Médecins sans Frontières et Médecins du Monde.

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR 1 500 000 | EUR 1 129 471 |

Global Plan for Coastal West Africa to provide assistance to people affected by long lasting crises or outbreaks of violence in Liberia, Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire

Coastal West Africa has been in turmoil since 14 years with huge consequences in terms of human suffering. The situation in Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire and Guinea requires continued DG ECHO's assistance. These countries are going through interlinked political, military and humanitarian crises. Additionally, a number of countries in the region are affected by the large movements of population as the repatriation of Liberian and Ivorians refugees continues. Humanitarian needs in the region can consequently be better supported if they are dealt with in a coordinated manner at the regional level.

EUR 25 million was allocated in a Global Plan to the Coastal West Africa region.

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR 25 000 000 | EUR 24 988 012 |

Côte d'Ivoire (EUR 5.12 million of the Global Plan),

Humanitarian needs

The country is divided in two, with the Government controlling the south and the "New Forces" controlling the North. This creates great difficulty for he population in accessing basic social services. During the conflict the health system collapsed in the North of the country; more than the 80% of the staff had left and about 70% of the facilities were closed. However, a more positive development has been registred by end 2005 as a result of the humanitarian interventions and with the redeployment of some Government civil servants in the North.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

DG ECHO’s objective in Côte d'Ivoire has been to continue to provide humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations affected by the conflict.. The main geographical areas of intervention has been Central and West Côte d'Ivoire, where most of the displaced persons and refugees are located and continuing conflicts related to ethnic tensions and land tenure hamper the return of displaced persons to their villages of origin. DG ECHO financed projects in the sectors of health care, nutrition, water and sanitation, protection and humanitarian coordination. DG ECHO further helped to address an increase of moderate and severe malnutrition in the Western part of the country. Attention was given to the protection of displaced people (about 500 000), in particular third country nationals, to women and to children associated with fighting forces.

LRRD

Some interventions in Côte d'Ivoire , such as health, water and sanitation as well as food security sector financed by DG ECHO during the initial emergency phase, have been continued in a broader and more sustainable manner in the context of aid programmes funded from development resources in 2005. .

Partners

UN agencies including OCHA and NGOs such as Action contre la Faim, Médecins sans Frontières, International Rescue Committee, Solidarités, Save the Children, the International Organisation for Migration and the International Committee of the Red Cross. .

Guinea (EUR 2 million of the Global Plan)

Humanitarian needs

Hundreds of thousands of refugees were pushed across the Guinean border by wars in Sierra Leone and Liberia. In December 2005, an estimated 56.785 Liberians continue to receive assistance, in preparation for full scale repatriation. Access to farming land, employment and social services – health, education, potable water and sanitation – remains limited within and outside camps for both refugees and vulnerable groups among the local population. The rainy season brought outbreaks of diseases considered as almost eradicated – polio and yellow fever – or much more common epidemics, like cholera. The high mortality, morbidity and malnutrition rates are mainly the result of little or no access to primary health services, water, shelter and land.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

The EUR 2 million allocated to Guinea was used to fund operations to assist refugees, returnees and vulnerable groups. DG ECHO financed notably protection activities, food distribution, health programmes. Due to various constraints, the UNHCR could not stick to its objective to repatriate 55 000 Liberian refugees by the end of 2005. Most of the targeted beneficiaries remained sceptical on the outcome of the electoral process in Liberia. Refugees did not want to lose the harvest that they expected in and around the camps by returning before the end of the rainy season. Consequently, UNHCR’s Plan for voluntary repatriation of Liberian refugees has been modified to repatriate 45 000 refugees till June 2006.

LRRD

In Guinea, the best way to tackle the destabilising regional influence is to reinforce reintegration and development programs. The European Union plans to start implementing in 2006 a project of EUR 25 million to support community rehabilitation, peace building and income generating activities in conflict-affected areas of the country. Before considering a possible exit strategy by the end of 2006, DG ECHO will maintain its support to care and maintenance activities in the camps, programs related to population protection and to the voluntary repatriation of Liberian refugees.

Partners

UNHCR, Action contre la Faim, Médecins sans Frontières and ICRC.

Regional projects (EUR 870,000 of the Global Plan)

EUR 500,000 was provided to WFP towards the cost of operating a humanitarian air service covering Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire. This facilitated the movements of humanitarian workers in difficult and sometimes dangerous areas.

A further EUR 370,000 was used for the operation of Technical Assistance offices in Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire and Guinea.

Liberia (EUR 17.1 million of the Global Plan)

Humanitarian needs

14 years of war have caused the death of more than 250 000 people, the departure of hundreds of thousands of Liberians to neighbouring countries, and the internal displacement of some 500 000 people out of a population of 3 million. Years of civil war have totally destroyed the health and education systems, infrastructure like roads and bridges, drinking water and electricity supplies, production mechanisms for farming and trade, and the civil and administrative apparatus. At the end of 2004 most of the country was secure and many IDPs and refugees began to return home spontaneously. Their return to Liberia and reinstallation in their places of origin was the main humanitarian challenge of 2005.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

In Liberia , assistance has been focused on care and maintenance in the IDP camps; return and reinstallation of refugees and internally displaced persons in their places of origin; restoration of access to basic services such as water, health and sanitation, shelter, food security in the priority zones drawn up on the basis of humanitarian needs. Attention has been given to protection issues. This included assistance to family reunification and separated children, and activities to reduce the recruitment of children by armed forces and gender based violence. DG ECHO has been fully engaged in the humanitarian response related to the voluntary and assisted return of tens of thousands of Liberians and the reconstruction of their communities.

LRRD

In Liberia , 2006 will be the transition year where LRRD process will be of utmost importance in various sectors. Coordination is taking place with the other EU instruments particularly with the local community development and post conflict programmes, in order to develop timely complementarities in the areas of return. In the selection of its partners, DG ECHO started taking into consideration their capacity to stay beyond the humanitarian crisis, and cover the transitional period. But the lack of commitment from the national transitional government in term of restoration of key basic services has been delaying the adoption of clear strategies and policies to rely on. Health is one of the key sectors and coordination must go on to find a strategy in order to face major challenges including the lack of human resources (around 65 doctors in Liberia).

Partners

UN agencies, Action contre la Faim, Médecins sans Frontières, Médecins du Monde, International Rescue Committee, the Red-Cross, International Organisation for Migration, and OXFAM.

Liberia - ad-hoc decision (in addition to the Global Plan)

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

In September 2004 a EUR 4.3 million ad hoc decision has been adopted from the 9th EDF B envelop to assist people returning and reinstalling to their place of origin, once security and basic living conditions were restored. Most of the operations have been implemented over the first half of 2005. Another EUR 550 000 coming from a EUR 2 million ad hoc decision taken in December 2004 was made available for uprooted populations fleeing the Ivorian conflict and the host communities in Liberia.

Finally, in May 2005 a EUR 2.7 million ad hoc decision has been adopted from the 9th EDF B envelop for integrated assistance to support the return of vulnerable people to their place of origin in Liberia.

Partners

The major partners were UN agencies, the Red-Cross, Solidarités, Save the Children and German Agro Action.

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR (EDF) 2 700 000 | EUR 2 684 772 |

Benin

Humanitarian needs

The political crisis which followed the contested presidential elections on 24 April 2005 in Togo lead to massive internal displacement and to the movement of thousands of people to neighbouring countries. The first refugees arrived in Benin the day after the elections and within a week over 10 000 Togolese had been registered as refugees in Benin. By May 2005 this had grown to a total of 18.241 refugees of which 7.363 were children.

The UN estimated that 70% of the refugees were looked after by local communities and families in Benin. This generosity was of enormous help in alleviating the suffering of the refugees. However international assistance channelled through UNHCR was necessary to provide food aid and other humanitarian aid items both to the refugees and the host communities.

The rest of the refugees were established in 2 camps at Comé and Lokossa. These camps needed essential services (water and sanitation, health, shelters, food, NFI as well as psycho-social support services for traumatised refugees). As the situation in Togo remained uncertain, it was unclear when the refugees would be able to return home. Humanitarian aid was therefore necessary.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

DG ECHO allocated EUR 1.05 million to UNHCR as humanitarian assistance for the refugees in Benin in 2005. Priority was given to the funding of essential services such as drinking water and sanitation facilities, temporary shelter and items of basic need. Food aid and primary health services were also supported as was psycho-social activities where needed.

LRRD

No direct link as it is expected that the refugees will return home.

Partners

The only partner was UNHCR.

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR (EDF) 1 050 000 | EUR 1 050 000 |

Chad

Humanitarian needs

From April 2003 to mid-2004, some 215 000 refugees poured into the frontier provinces of Chad, the BET – Bourkou-Ennedi-Tibesti regions –, Wadi Fira and Ouaddaï provinces. These refugees are Muslim shepherds and farmers who have lost all or some of their herds, their seeds and other vital products following the destruction in their places of origin in Darfur. The Sudanese refugees are entirely dependent on assistance delivered by humanitarian organizations. The refugees like the local Chad population are exposed to various epidemics such as cholera, hepatitis E, meningitis, measles and polio.The host regions are among Chad’s poorest and far from ideal for accommodating large population groups. They are geographically isolated and economically marginalised.

In the south of the country, the Moyen-Chari and eastern Logone regions have since 2003 accommodated some 30 000 refugees from the Central African Republic in Yaroungu and Amboko camps. Between June and October 2005, the UNHCR recorded 12 500 new arrivals following the resumption of fighting in the north of the Central African Republic. Most of these refugees were temporarily settled in Amboko.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

Since the autumn of 2003 and its first emergency decision, DG ECHO has supported operations to help the population in Chad territory directly or indirectly affected by the Darfur conflict. In the three Ennedi, Wadi Fira and Ouaddaï regions, DG ECHO identified the following categories of beneficiaries: refugees settled in the camps, refugees who have refused to go to the camps and remain dispersed along the Sudanese frontier, vulnerable groups in the local population. After an initial settlement phase in provisional camps, the UNHCR launched a large-scale refugee transfer operation which was completed in May 2005 with the opening of a twelfth camp, Gaga.

Assistance to refugees and vulnerable groups has been targeted on primary health care, food aid, food security, shelter, water and sanitation, essential relief items- such as blankets, soap, kitchen utensils and water containers - and protection activities. The camps in eastern Chad are now in a maintenance and upkeep phase and no radical change of approach by DG ECHO's partners is needed. On the other hand, refugees who have refused to go to the camps require measures geared to their specific needs, notably in terms of protection.

Through a supplementary ad hoc financing decision, DG ECHO also supported a multi-sector assistance operation and the building of a new camp to host refugees arriving from the Central African Republic since June 2005.

LRRD

The pressure on natural resources in the host regions, in particular firewood, water, pastures and arable land has created residual tension between refugees and local population. Although most needs of the local Chad population are no longer linked to the presence of refugees but more to weaknesses in their region’s structural development and the characteristics of their environment, some humanitarian organisations are implementing operations to help a local population often worse off than the refugees. To avoid treating refugees and local people differently and thereby exacerbate the tension, visible measures with a rapid impact should be conducted to help the local population.

However, DG ECHO does not think humanitarian action can be systematically applied to the local population without creating an imbalance in the systems and upsetting the development process. A specific LRRD approach and better coordination among development agencies and humanitarian actors is recommended, notably as regards food security, water resources, sanitation networks, hygiene and health in a rural environment as part of the drive to prevent epidemics transmitted by feco-oral means.

Partners

The major partners were UN agencies, Médecins sans Frontières and the Red-Cross.

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR 12 000 000 | EUR 11 997 653 |

EUR 2 000 000 | EUR 2 000 000 |

EUR 14 000 000 | EUR 13 997 653 |

Mali

Humanitarian needs

Like neighbouring Niger, Mali also suffered the effects of a worse than “normal” food security crisis in 2005. The exceptionally low rainfall during the 2004 rainy season lead to insufficient river levels for adequate irrigation resulting in poor harvests and dry pasturelands which affected both farmers and livestock breeders. To this was added the impact of the worst locust invasion in 15 years. The most affected and food insecure areas were the regions of Kidal, Gao, Gorum, Tessalit and Timbuktu.

Nearly 500 000 people were classified as being at risk from malnutrition. Nutritional surveys indicated high levels of acute malnutrition amongst under five year old children.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

DG ECHO allocated EUR 2 million as humanitarian assistance to Mali in 2005. Priority was given to partner interventions focussed on nutritional recuperation activities targeting severely and moderately malnourished in order to reduce mortality among the beneficiaries. Food security activities (such as targeted food distribution, distribution of seeds and fodder…) were also funded to complement the nutritional activities and to assist families restart agricultural activities.

LRRD

DG ECHO’s intervention was in the framework of the Commission’s overall aid strategy to support the Government of Mali’s development objectives. The projects funded by DG ECHO in 2005 complemented and strengthened the ongoing food security operations supported from development budgets. To reduce the risk of a similar situation in future years, DG ECHO will intensify its cooperation with other Commission services to ensure a clear and coherent link between relief rehabilitation and development.

Partners

The major partners were Action contre la Faim, OXFAM and UN agencies.

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR (EDF) 2 000 000 | EUR 1 999 998 |

Niger

Humanitarian needs

Niger suffered the effects of a worse than “normal” food security crisis in 2005. To the usual structural causes of malnutrition (extreme poverty, usurious money lending practices uncontrolled demographic growth, limited health services) was added poor rains, the damage from the previous year’s locust invasion and the impact of regional trade on local markets. Neighbouring Nigeria’s higher purchasing power sucked food out of the local market in Niger and pushed up prices dramatically.

The exceptionally low rainfall during the 2004 rainy season lead to the lowest flow of the Niger river in 10 years, resulting in poor harvest and dry pasturelands and heavily affecting both farmers and livestock breeders. Due to the combined effect of the worst locust invasion in 15 years, 15 % of the nation’s average cereal production and almost 40% of the country’s livestock was lost during the 2004 agricultural season. A 223.500 ton deficit in cereals and 4 642 000 ton deficit in fodder were recorded by the Nigerian authorities. The deficit was heavily concentrated on the poorest, most food insecure and vulnerable departments with local deficits well above the recurrent structural deficits. The most affected areas were the regions of Tillabery, Tahoua, Maradi, Diffa, Agadez and Zinder.

Over 3 million people were classed as being at risk from malnutrition (15% considered to be severely malnourished with another 30% classed as moderately malnourished). This is more than double the figure from 2004. Nutritional surveys indicated that one in five children under five was suffering from acute malnutrition.

To mitigate the crisis, the Niger government sold basic foodstuffs at controlled prices, below the market price, in the worst hit areas. And also set up food-for-work activities in 300 sites, established cereal banks and distributed seeds in areas where no seed was left. These measures were insufficient and large scale international aid became necessary.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

DG ECHO allocated EUR 6.3 million in two decisions as humanitarian assistance to Niger in 2005. Priority was given to partner interventions focussed on nutritional recuperation activities targeting severely and moderately malnourished in order to reduce mortality among the beneficiaries.

Operations were concentrated in the most critical areas of Maradi – Zinder – Dakoro – and Tahoua in the Central region of Niger with some assistance provided to people North of the Central region (Abalak, Tchin-Tabaraden), where there was a risk of malnutrition pockets following the return of the pastoralist families with the rainy season.

Food security activities (such as targeted food distribution, distribution of seeds and fodder…) were also funded to complement the nutritional activities and to assist families restart agricultural activities.

LRRD

The crisis in Niger was the result of structural problems of poverty, demographic pressures and the poor management of natural resources (land and water). The most appropriate instrument to address these is development aid to strengthen local capacity to alleviate poverty and improve food security. DG ECHO’s intervention in Niger is therefore part of an overall Commission aid strategy involving the articulation of humanitarian and development aid instruments. In conjunction with the Government and other donors, a major rethink is underway of government and donor supported programmes and projects to try and ensure that the crisis of 2005 is note repeated in other years. However these are slow moving instruments and the need for a DG ECHO intervention in 2006 looks inevitable as the consequences of the 2005 situation (indebtedness and massive decapitalisation of households) will spill over.

Partners

The major partners were Action contre la Faim, UN agencies, Save the Children and Care.

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR (EDF) 4 600 000 | EUR 4 520 791 |

EUR (EDF) 1 700 000 | EUR 1 699 946 |

EUR 6 300 000 | EUR 6 220 737 |

Echo flight

Humanitarian needs

The provision of ECHO Flight services, including the choice of destinations, is based on concrete needs for humanitarian air transport. As a basic operating principle, ECHO Flight services do not duplicate similar humanitarian air services or compete with sustainable commercial airlines offering safe and reliable humanitarian air transport capacity at acceptable cost.

The use of ECHO Flight services enables humanitarian NGOs to reduce inventory stockpiles at field locations which often run the risk of confiscation or theft by armed bandits or local militia. It increases productivity of field personnel due to the ability to plan rest and recreation rotations at an appropriate frequency; and it increases the quality of humanitarian operations as supervisory visits can be conducted more frequently. In addition, an airborne stand-by evacuation capacity remains for many agencies a sine qua non for continuing project implementation.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

In January 2005, Rossair Contracts (Pty) Ltd, i.e. the operator of ECHO Flight filed for voluntary liquidation resulting in the disruption of the humanitarian air service for Somalia, Northern Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which ensured rapid access to emergencies for humanitarian personnel and cargo.

To compensate for the loss of ECHO-Flight in both DRC and Somalia , a temporary solution could be secured in the meantime by contracting the services of Aviation sans Frontières (French and Belgian section) and WFP.

On 18 July 2005 Commissioner Louis Michel decided that the flight operation in Somalia will be handed over to DG Development/Delegation in Kenya whilst in DRC ECHO-Flight will be re-established. Consequently, a tender only covering DRC was launched in September.

LRRD

It is envisaged that ASF (B) will continue to provide the air service until DG DEVELOPMENT/Delegation in Kenya’s own operation have been established. ASF (F) and WFP will bridge the gap in DRC with their operations until the new ECHO-Flight contractor will re-start the operation.

Partners

The major partners were UN agencies and Aviation sans Frontières.

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR 6 500 000 | EUR 6 499 755 |

CARIBBEAN/PACIFIC/INDIAN OCEAN

Caribbean

Humanitarian needs

The Caribbean Region is highly prone to disasters, mainly to hurricanes and recurrent floods. On some islands, volcanic activity is also a hazard. This combined with high population density, high annual demographic growth, high levels of poverty and socio-economic inequality result in extremely vulnerable population groups with little coping or resilience capacities in the event of a disaster.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

Whilst DG ECHO has been supporting community based disaster reduction through its DIPECHO programme for many years, it has in 2005/2006 also provided direct support to PADRU (Pan American Disaster Response Unit) which is IFRC's logistics platform allowing the Red Cross to quickly intervene in case of natural disaster.

LRRD

DG ECHO works with DG DEVELOPMENT to better integrate disaster risk reduction in development agendas.

Partners

The major partner was the Red-Cross.

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR 500 000 | EUR 500 000 |

Cook Islands

Humanitarian needs

Between 6 February and 6 March 2005 the Cook Islands[5] were hit by five tropical cyclones. While having experienced climatic extremes of strong winds and sea surges, being struck by four cyclones in four weeks constituted an historic natural disaster event for the Cook Islands.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

In its response to the disaster DG ECHO funded a 12 month livelihood support programme allowing the restoration of crop production and the resumption of fishery activities for some 12 000 people.

Partners

The major partner was a UN agency (FAO).

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR 200 000 | EUR 200 000 |

Comoros

Humanitarian needs

In a very unusual year of volcanic activity, Karthala volcano erupted twice, in April and November 2005, spewing ash and toxic fumes over a wide area of Grande Comoro, and contaminating the water source of up to 175 000 people.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

DG ECHO reacted with two emergency decisions of EUR 500 000 and EUR 600 000 to support water trucking and the cleaning and covering of water tanks which are the island’s only source of water.

Partners

The major partner was a UN agency (UNICEF).

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR (EDF) 500 000 | EUR 500 000 |

EUR (EDF) 600 000 | EUR - |

EUR 1 100 000 | EUR 500 000 |

Dominican Republic

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

The Dominican Republic is home to the DG ECHO office for the Caribbean region based in Santo Domingo. To secure the functioning of this office for the duration of a year an amount of EUR 200 000 was made available.

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR 200 000 | EUR 200 000 |

Grenada

Humanitarian needs

When in 2005 Grenada was hit by Hurricane Emily its population was still suffering from the effects from Hurricane Ivan which had devastated the entire island in 2004. During 2005 recovery support to affected populations has remained necessary.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

The efforts supported by DG ECHO in Grenada since Hurricane Ivan hit the Island have in one way or the other reached the entire population. They were most beneficial to those who could stay in their homes as a result of the roof repair carried out with DG ECHO funding.

LRRD

DG ECHO's funding is complemented by support from DG DEVELOPMENT/EUROPEAID which is predominantly directed towards the rehabilitation and reconstruction of schools.

Partners

The major partner was the Red-Cross.

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR 1 200 000 | EUR 1 200 000 |

Guyana

Humanitarian needs

In January 2005, torrential rains caused serious flooding along the coastal region which is the most densely populated area of Guyana. The flooding, which is the largest disaster in Guyana over the past decades, affected around 290 000 people (39% of Guyana’s population).

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

In a first phase DG ECHO funded emergency relief which was instrumental in providing 6 000 families with food parcels, blankets, kitchen sets, hygiene kits and plastic sheeting, 192 000 persons with health support as well as securing access to drinking water for 118 000 people. In a follow-up to its emergency support DG ECHO funded recovery assistance in particular for rural populations so as to allow some 60 000 people to restore their livelihoods. The latter programme also included a major disaster preparedness component.

Partners

The major partners were: Oxfam, the Red-Cross and UN agencies.

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR (EDF) 700 000 | EUR 700 000 |

EUR 1 000 000 | EUR 999 348 |

EUR 996 500 | EUR 996 500 |

EUR 2 696 500 | EUR 2 695 848 |

Haiti

Humanitarian needs

In addition to the political crisis Haiti remains exposed to natural hazards such as hurricanes and flooding. Extreme poverty and poor government disaster management capacity renders large part of the population extremely vulnerable to the effects of natural disasters. Haiti’s crisis has its roots in structural deficits which must be addressed by development instruments. Nevertheless, the fragility of the livelihoods of large parts of the populations means that the slighest external shock such as climatic events results in a humanitarian crisis for the affected populations.

All this makes the country an obvious choice for disaster preparedness activities.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

In Haiti, DG ECHO reduced its involvement in the response to the socio-economic crisis from some EUR 7.4 million, in 2004, to EUR 1.3 million in 2005. Under this funding support was granted to surgery treatment of some 6 000 victims of violence in the shanty towns of Port-au-Prince whilst a similar number of beneficiaries were provided with ambulance services. In addition, a large population group benefited from support to the country wide drug procurement system, as well as from disaster preparedness activities.

Haiti is also the focus for DG ECHO’s 5th DIPECHO Action Plan for the Caribbean region which was launched in 2005. Of the eight projects accepted for funding five are in Haiti.

LRRD

Further to the lifting of Article 96 restriction DG DEVELOPMENT/EUROPEAID have allocated in full the B-envelope from the EDF[6] worth EUR 95.6 million and project identification and disbursement has already started. The funding will allow the Commission to continue support of programmes initiated with humanitarian funds.

Partners

The major partners were Médecins sans Frontières, Red-Cross and UN agencies.

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR 1 300 000 | EUR 1 298 471 |

EUR 400 000 | EUR 400 000 |

EUR 1 700 000 | EUR 1 698 471 |

Madagascar

Humanitarian needs

The humanitarian needs towards the end of 2005 were for emergency assistance to people affected by food shortages and malnutrition in South East Madagascar. A fragile situation became an emergency, when repeated floods in the first half of the year were followed by insect infestation and drought in the second half.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

DG ECHO’s objective was to save and preserve lives during the emergency caused by food insecurity in Madagascar. An emergency decision for EUR 500 000 was adopted in December 2005, with expenditure eligible from 7 November 2005. The most affected population consisted of 150 000 people living in 12 communes of Vangaindrano district, Atsimo Atsinanana region, Fianarantsoa province. Sectors of intervention include emergency nutrition, health, food aid, food security and water/sanitation in support of nutritional activities.

LRRD

DG ECHO does not have a regular presence in Madagascar, but responds to humanitarian crises punctually and withdraws when emergency operations are completed. The Madagascar Nutrition Programme "PRONUMAD" (under the EC Food Security Budget Line), will seek project proposals in the affected area during its second phase, providing a vital link with DG ECHO’s emergency programme in South East Madagascar. DG ECHO expects to revert to a monitoring role.

Partners

The major partner was a UN agency (UNICEF).

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR (EDF) 500 000 | EUR - |

Papua New Guinea

Humanitarian needs

Severe continuous volcanic activities from two volcanoes have affected a total of 15 000 people in Papua New Guinea (PNG) since October 2004. Manam volcano, on Manam Island, registered several major eruptions up to the end of January, and Langila volcano in PNG’s West New Britain province has been erupting continuously since 2 June. The volcano eruptions have lead to the displacement of some 10 000 persons.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

With the support of DG ECHO some 7 500 internally displaced people were able to obtain temporary shelter. This allows them to remain in their host communities until a decision is taken whether to return to their villages or to settle for good.

Partners

The major partner was the International Federation of Red-Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR (EDF) 200 000 | EUR 200 000 |

EASTERN EUROPE, RUSSIAN FEDERATION, SOUTHERN CAUCASUS, CENTRAL ASIA, INCLUDING MONGOLIA

Northern Caucasus

Humanitarian needs

Despite the announced normalisation, there was still no durable peace settlement in sight and consequences of the unresolved conflict in Chechnya were being felt in the whole Northern Caucasus, where violence spread over the year, culminating with a massive attack against law-enforcement structures in Kabardino-Balkaria.

In Chechnya proper, a republic largely destroyed by the conflict, the civilian population continued to be victim of a serious humanitarian crisis coupled with very severe violations of human rights (tortures, rapes, disappearances, extra-judicial killings). Despite limited socio-economic improvements, humanitarian needs remained vast in all sectors: food, non-food, water and sanitation, access to health and medicine, education, psycho-social assistance and protection. With more than 60% of the population unemployed, there are also growing needs for more sustainable programmes which would help people get out of aid dependency, such as income-generation projects.

In Ingushetia, contrary to what was expected, no major return to Chechnya took place at the end of the school year, probably because of the absence of shelter and insecurity there. The number of IDPs decreased but only to 30 000 people, who lived either in very basic collective accommodation or in the private sector.

Another 9 000 people were estimated to be displaced in Daghestan.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

This forgotten humanitarian crisis remained one of DG ECHO’s operational priorities in 2005, with funding totalling EUR 26.3 million allocated to the victims of the conflict in Chechnya.

The European Commission remained the main donor in the region.

The main area of activity remained food distribution, with basic food aid provided to some 250 000 IDPs and vulnerable members of the population in Chechnya, Ingushetia and Daghestan. This represented an important decrease in the number of beneficiaries with regard to 2004 (390 000 beneficiaries), in a move to progressively replace food aid with more sustainable forms of assistance. School-feeding was provided to 80 000 primary school children in Chechnya. IDPs and vulnerable people were provided with medical care and essential relief items in Chechnya, Daghestan and Ingushetia. Approximately 250 houses were rehabilitated in Chechnya, targeting approximately 1300 beneficiaries. Up to 7 000 young IDPs in Ingushetia and young residents and IDPs in Chechnya benefited from psycho-social support, from aid to improve their skills and from vocational activities.

Water and sanitation conditions were enhanced in Ingushetia and access to potable water was ensured for the residents of Grozny (90 000) with special emphasis on schools and health facilities. In Ingushetia and Chechnya 150 000 people (mainly children) received mine-awareness training. In the educational sector DG ECHO financed the distribution of 30 000 school-books and contributed to the operation of Early Childhood Education centres and primary schools attended by approximately 3 000 children in Chechnya and Ingushetia. DG ECHO also funded the basic rehabilitation of several schools in Chechnya. In addition, throughout the Northern Caucasus protection activities funded by DG ECHO, notably legal counselling, were provided for IDPs, returnees and residents.

International aid to Daghestan increased in 2005, partly thanks to DG ECHO’s advocacy efforts towards this forgotten group.

Working conditions for humanitarian staff remained very difficult, due to bureaucratic hassle and high insecurity. In addition, the discussion (and further adoption) of a new, restrictive law on NGOs gave rise to concerns in the humanitarian community on possible restrictions to their work.

However, there was noticeable progress in access for NGOs and other agencies. Thanks to some improvement in security in certain areas, new districts in Chechnya opened up to humanitarian aid, notably in the mountainous south, which was inaccessible to international staff before.

LRRD

After a joined mission to the North Caucasus with DG ECHO, DG RELEX[7] decided to launch a special TACIS programme of EUR 20M in the North Caucasus. The programme, which will start in 2006, will focus on supporting projects in the fields of education, health and income-generation/support to the banking sector. The three sectors have been chosen in cooperation with DG ECHO. The best complementarity possible will be searched between the two budget lines.

Partners

The major partners were: the Red Cross, UN agencies and several NGOs.

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR 20 300 000 | EUR 19 989 000 |

EUR 6 000 000 | EUR - |

EUR 26 300 000 | EUR 19 989 000 |

Southern Caucasus (Georgia)

Humanitarian needs

Georgia is a country still faced with unmet humanitarian needs, in particular in Western Georgia, in and around Abkhazia.

The situation in Abkhazia, is precarious. Overall, the economy remains in shambles and the absence of a conflict settlement and of recognised authorities is hindering any sustainable development. Some progress is noted in Sukhumi and in the North, towards the border with Russia, a region which is starting to benefit from Russian investments and tourism. However, this economic activity is still seasonal and geographically limited.

In Western Georgia, the overall economic situation has not improved either and the region is still affected indirectly by the conflict with Abkhazia and the high number of displaced people there, many of whom have been living in run-down collective centres for more than ten years, with no economic opportunities. At least five percent of the population there, both residents and IDPs, are unable to cover their food, health and shelter needs. Welfare support from authorities is just enough to buy half a pound of bread a day.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

DG ECHO continued to finance food-security and income-generation projects in Western Georgia, especially Abkhazia, as well as the rehabilitation of collective centres for IDPs and children institutions in urgent need of repair, and supported a mother-and-child health project in Samegrelo, the region most affected by the unresolved conflict with Abkhazia. However, after an exceptional assistance of EUR 4 million in 2004, which allowed for the urgent rehabilitation of collective centres and schools, the budget decreased to EUR 2 million, in a phasing-down approach.

LRRD

The Commission, through its Rehabilitation budget line, committed EUR 4 million in support to recovery projects around the dividing line between Abkhazia and Georgia proper. Close consultations were held between DG ECHO and the Delegation in order to see how the two budget lines could be as complementary as possible, and how the Rehabilitation budget line could progressively take over some of the projects supported by DG ECHO.

Partners

The major partners were the Red-Cross, Première Urgence, Médecins du Monde and Action contre la Faim.

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR 2 000 000 | EUR 1 295 000 |

Mongolia

Humanitarian needs

Mongolia continues to have large groups of vulnerable people whose lives are deeply affected by recurrent natural disasters. The most damaging is the “dzud”, an accumulation of drought and heavy snowfalls. The occurrence of such disasters has recently increased and has had a very serious impact on the livelihoods of the herder communities. Mongolia has experienced four years of consecutive dzuds (2000-2003), whereas previously such disasters used to occur on average every fifty years. This has had consequences on the traditional coping mechanisms of the population. Large numbers of herders have insufficient livestock to sustain their livelihood and remain food-secured. Dzuds have also resulted in an increasing rural-urban migration, especially towards the swelling suburbs of the capital Ulaan Bataar, where unemployment causes further severe destitution and results in basic humanitarian needs.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

DG ECHO assistance aimed at not only addressing the humanitarian needs after the crisis but also at breaking the cycle of disaster and vulnerability through programmes aimed at helping herders to better prepare for disasters. DG ECHO therefore continued and built on projects developed the year before and focused on a better preparation of herders and on the diversification of their agricultural production through a limited number of operations focusing on agricultural activities, with a strong disaster-reduction element.

LRRD

The Commission, through its ALA budget line, is now supporting projects focusing on poverty alleviation through rural development. While these programmes and those of other international donors will hopefully have a positive impact on the longer term at the macro-economic level, they do not, however, focus on the needs of specific vulnerable groups such as impoverished herders. This is why DG ECHO decided to maintain its presence in 2005, in order to assist this particular group.

Partners

The major partners were: Action contre la faim and Adventist Development and Relief Agency.

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR 900 000 | EUR 600 000 |

Tajikistan

Humanitarian needs

Tajikistan continues to recover from the disastrous effects of the 1992-1997 civil wars and 1999-2001 drought. There has been progress in terms of both political and economic reform, and relative macroeconomic stability. There is now a general recognition that the time has come to focus on long term poverty relief and sustainable development. However, underlying humanitarian needs persist. 64% of the population still live below the poverty line and the country is food-deficit with a strained supply and chronic malnutrition amongst children is around 30%. Access to safe drinking water remains limited and health indicators remain amongst the worst in the world outside of Africa.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

In May 2005 the European Commission adopted a EUR 6 million Funding Decision to provide humanitarian assistance to the vulnerable people of Tajikistan. This Decision was the second action in a three-step phase out process, fully in line with the Commission LRRD strategy.

The amount of the Decision was reduced by a further 25% from EUR 8 million in 2004, although this was alongside an increase in EUR 1 million in DIPECHO funds for Central Asia.

Activities include distribution of essential medicines, supplementary feeding for the urban impoverished, treatment of severe acute malnutrition in under five year olds, spring-catchments, water-pumps and water-system rehabilitations, construction of pit latrines, community training and education programs, etc. Of particular note is the creation of a National Drug Procurement Centre (NDPC) which, together with a medicines acquisition component, consumed some 26% of the total Funding Decision.

LRRD

LRRD in Tajikistan continued to progress throughout 2005. The consolidation of the EC presence in Dushanbe facilitated even stronger linkages between DG ECHO and other Commission instruments at field level (notably through TACIS and the Food Security programme). LRRD has also continued to benefit from the existence of the DIPECHO programme in Central Asia. DG ECHO continued to liaise closely with the Tajik government, other donors, NGOs and the United Nations in order to ensure co-ordinated responses from both its own programmes and those of others. The health sector remains in particular need of attention during the phase-out of DG ECHO activities.

Partners

The major partners were: Pharmaciens sans Frontières, German Agro Action, ACTED , the Red-Cross and Un agencies.

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR 6 000 000 | EUR 5 994 650 |

MEDITERRANEAN AND MIDDLE EAST (INCL. IRAQ)

Algeria – Sahrawi refugees

Humanitarian needs

Sahrawi refugees who have lived for the past 30 years in the desert in South-western Algeria continued to depend essentially on international aid in all sectors, from food to health, from water and sanitation to education.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

A EUR 9,311 million funding decision was adopted in August. Projects funded under this decision are in the sectors of food, water and sanitation, health, education and support to handicapped people, and started to be implemented in the third quarter of 2005. In response to a nutritional study conducted on behalf of WFP and UNHCR, which showed high level of malnutrition among children below five and women in fertile age, the food basket was diversified and enriched in order to include quantities of vitamin and protein rich products. Medicines and consumables for hospitals has also been provided, and the cool chain in storage and transportation of medicines improved. Assistance has been provided to the physically handicapped population. Women received hygienic kits. With the implementation of a further project, complementary to others previously funded by the European Commission or other donors, drinkable water has been made available to the inhabitants of the four refugee camps. Schools has been rehabilitated and assistance provided to students.

LRRD

Not applicable in the circumstances prevailing in refugee camps.

Partners

The major partners were: UN agencies and Comitato Internazionale per lo sviluppo dei popoli.

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR 9 311 000 | EUR 5 528 965 |

Occupied Palestinian Territories (West Bank and Gaza Strip), Lebanon, Jordan and Syria

Humanitarian needs

Despite some hope about the reinvigoration of the political process, especially following the withdrawal of Israel from the Gaza Strip and parts of the Northern West Bank in August, there were no improvements in the socio-economic and humanitarian situation in 2005. Household incomes have fallen, assets and coping mechanisms exhausted, and living conditions further eroded by the considerable decline in the quality of essential services like health and education and the economic and/or physical inability of most Palestinians to access them. Half of the Palestinian population was in poverty, rising to 68% in the Gaza Strip. Unemployment remained high at 37%. The ongoing conflict and the occupation have a strong psycho-social impact on the population. Regular access to safe water in the West Bank where nearly 40% of the communities lack water networks, was a major concern, as well as the nearly 40% of the population who were food insecure. All these factors maintained the population in a situation of high vulnerability and dependency towards external humanitarian assistance, whereas the closure policy and the construction of the barrier on Palestinian land continued. At the end of the year the UN launched a $ 215 million appeal to cover anticipated humanitarian needs for 2005. As in previous years, vulnerable Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Syria and, particularly, Lebanon were also affected indirectly and in need of aid.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

The European Commission made available in 2005 EUR 36,576 million for humanitarian operations benefiting Palestinians in the Palestinian Territories as well as Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, through the adoption of two funding decisions in May and November respectively. This was an increase compared to the initial indicative allocation of EUR 34 million, which was due to the needs to cover more shelter rehabilitation in Lebanon, Jordan and Syria, where the European Commission is the only donor, as well as to provide a further contribution to the World Food Programme’s appeal, included in the CAP for the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, that was funded by less than 40% in the last quarter of 2005. The bulk of the funds, EUR 29.85 million, went to operations in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip in eight sectors: food; health; water and sanitation; temporary job creation; protection; shelter rehabilitation; psycho-social support, and co-ordination). About one third of funds went to operations targeting beneficiaries affected by the construction of the barrier on Palestinian land. Protection activities were also funded and strengthened co-ordination among NGOs was supported.

In Lebanon, hospitals managed by the Palestinian Red Crescent Society were provided with adequate safety standards, as well as quantity of quality water. Some 15 000 children were monitored in 25 UNRWA clinics. Services to disabled persons, the elderly and children were funded, as well as protection activities.

In Lebanon, Jordan and Syria, funds were earmarked for the rehabilitation of dilapidated, unsafe and unhealthy shelters hosting a total of more than 5 000 people.

LRRD

The overall political context means that LRRD was not an option for the Palestinian Territories in 2005. However, full co-ordination was ensured with more development-oriented Community instruments and funding, particularly in the food and health sectors. As from 2006, and given also the high degree of financial assistance pledged by the international community, perspectives for LRRD might increase, provided also the Palestinian Territories reach a higher level of political and economic autonomy and independence. Consistency and complementarity with operations in favour of Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria funded under other budget lines were also ensured.

Partners

The major partners were UN agencies, the Red Cross, Oxfam, Italian International Cooperation et Action contre la Faim.

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR 28 300 000 | EUR 27 869 440 |

EUR 8 276 000 | EUR 511 000 |

EUR 36 576 000 | EUR 28 380 440 |

Iraq

Humanitarian needs

Most of the remaining needs in Iraq seem to be structural and should thus be covered by reconstruction funds. In any case, the effective provision of humanitarian aid in any pockets of need which might develop is made extremely difficult by the high level of insecurity and criminality, the lack of partners on the ground with implementation capacity and the lack of access to beneficiaries. Furthermore, the current security situation does not allow proper needs assessments to be carried out or for the implementation of projects in an efficient manner.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

DG ECHO has not programmed assistance for Iraq since the decision of December 2003 (projects implemented between 2004 and April 2005), for the reasons indicated above. However, if significant new humanitarian needs are identified, security conditions allow access to the victims and efficient implementation of projects and these needs cannot be covered by reconstruction programmes, DG ECHO will be ready to consider intervening.

LRRD

On top of DG ECHO assistance, the EC has approved EUR 418.5 million of support to the political and reconstruction process since March 2003, and an additional package of EUR 200 million is envisaged for 2006. While in 2004, the main focus was on the rehabilitation of basic services to Iraqis in the fields of water and sanitation, health and education – linking with DG ECHO sectoral priorities over the past 10 years - in 2005 greater emphasis has been put on support for the political process.

Yemen

Humanitarian needs

Yemen is a country with pockets of humanitarian needs. In rural areas, only 32% of the population on average has access to potable water. The corollary of waterborne illnesses explains partly the strong vulnerability of children under five whose mortality rate remains relatively high. It is also reported that 46% of children are moderately or severely underweight (chronic malnutrition). Maternal deaths account for 42% of mortality among women aged 15-49. With a public expenditure of $7/inhabitant, access to primary health care remains very insufficient.

Humanitarian objectives and achievements

A decision taken at the very end of December 2005 granting EUR 2.5 million aimed at provide drinking water to about 38 000 beneficiaries in rural areas or among the most vulnerable and a support to primary health care. Awareness-raising to hygiene and to sustainable management of resources accompanied these activities to perpetuate the results. The specific forgotten needs of the Akdham community (water, hygiene), of the children in high precariousness (protection) and of the refugees of the Horn of Africa (shelters) are subject to a targeted aid for which the results will take shape in 2006.

In September 2005, an emergency decision was adopted (EUR 500 000) to support a national programme of emergency anti-polio vaccination implemented by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The disease was stopped as from autumn 2005.

LRRD

Some successes in terms of LRRD : inter alia, the local authorities took over several primary health structures. They also committed themselves to supporting sustainable management of water access and of equipments provided by the EC humanitarian aid. These actions should serve as examples and should be reproduced on a large scale. Water and sanitation operations in 2005 incorporated a development dimension where suitable and feasible.

Partners

The major partners were UN agencies, the Red-Cross and Cooperazione Italiana Nord Sud.

Decisions | Contracts |

EUR 500 000 | EUR 500 000 |

EUR 2 500 000 | EUR - |

EUR 3 000 000 | EUR 500 000 |

ASIA

Tsunami

Humanitarian needs

The tsunami left behind desolation, death and misery but the situation today is not the same in all affected areas. This is explained by the differences in the intensity of the disaster, the local authorities’ reactions, the local coping mechanisms and the degree of difficulty, or ease, of access to affected areas.

In Indonesia, the northern and western coasts of the Province of Aceh (northern Sumatra) were the most seriously hit, leaving more than 200 000 people dead or missing. The humanitarian needs were enormous and wide-ranging. Survivors lacked access to health care, water and sanitation, food and shelter. They were also deeply traumatised and were in need of psychosocial support. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), one million people were affected, of whom 600 000 were left homeless. While acute humanitarian needs were rapidly covered, thanks to a rapid mobilisation of local means and an unprecedentedly generous response from the international community, reconstruction efforts took much longer than expected to materialise, thus creating a transitional phase between relief and reconstruction, which Aceh is still going through. Some 400 000 people are still displaced in government-organised transitory living centres, spontaneous camps or relatives’ homes, waiting for reconstruction programmes to offer them permanent housing and the recovery of their livelihoods. These people are still in need of humanitarian to cover their basic needs.

After Indonesia, Sri Lanka was the country hardest hit by the tsunami, which affected over two thirds of the island’s coastline. 35 322 people were killed, 1 million displaced and 275 000 lost their livelihoods. By July 2005, 457 576 people were still displaced and staying in transitional shelters or with friends and relatives. While the emergency needs for food, non-food items, water and sanitation and emergency shelter were well met in the first months after the tsunami, there were ongoing needs throughout the year particularly for food, transitional shelters, water and sanitation, livelihood recovery and psychosocial activities.

India is the only country which experienced the effects of both of the last two major natural disasters: the tsunami and the Pakistani earthquake. The tsunami caused widespread damage in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and in the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Pondicherry, affecting 2,260 km of coastline plus the whole of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, killing more than 16 000 people and displacing 700 000. At the end of year, about 150 000 people were still living in temporary camps. People were rapidly accommodated in the relief camps, from which later on they were shifted to individual temporary houses provided by the government, NGOs and other civil societies. Almost all of the tsunami affected families are still living in th