WRITTEN QUESTION P-0009/00

by Sérgio Marques (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 January 2000)

Subject: Disaster in Venezuela

Shortly before Christmas, continuous rainfall (the heaviest in living memory) caused flooding in Venezuela, the effects of which constitute what is perhaps the greatest natural disaster to have occurred in recent years. It is feared that over 30 000 people may have died, whilst the number of homeless is estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands. Whole conurbations disappeared under a sea of mud and have become mass graves. Infrastructures (basic sanitation, drinking water, communications, healthcare and schools) have been almost entirely swept away and economic activity is at a standstill.

In response to this enormous tragedy, European support for Venezuela a country which has taken in hundreds of thousands of European immigrants (Portuguese, Italians and Spaniards) who are also seriously affected needs to be extensive as well as urgent.

The amount of the aid which has so far been announced (3,2 million euros to be channelled through the Spanish, French and German Red Cross organisations) is clearly inadequate and can at best be regarded as an initial injection of emergency humanitarian aid.

The Commission is therefore called upon to increase without delay the level of European support for Venezuela and to answer the following questions:

1. What type of action does the Commission intend to take in order to meet the countless needs stemming from the disaster in areas such as medical and psychiatric assistance, water and public health, the rebuilding of dwellings and infrastructure items, food supply and the resumption of economic activity?

2. How much funding will be provided to finance the planned action and when will the amount be announced?

3. What are the conclusions of the survey carried out locally by ECHO officials?

4. Why has the Portuguese Red Cross not been involved in the channelling of the aid? Is the Commission intending to ask for its help in the future?

5. As in the case of the Central American countries which were devastated by Hurricane Mitch, does the Commission intend to prepare a medium- and long-term action plan (some of the disaster regions will need approximately ten years to recover) to rescue the areas affected?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(2 February 2000)

The Community is assuming its role, as it has done following other natural disasters that have affected Latin America recently.

The Commission immediately mobilised emergency aid, so far amounting to 3,6 million, through its humanitarian office (ECHO), and intends to continue its support with an additional amount of 2 million of humanitarian assistance to help restore the availability of drinking water, epidemiological surveillance activities and psychological support to children. Once there is a clear picture of the government plans for reconstruction, short-term rehabilitation works will be carried out, in order to help those affected regain a minimum of self-sufficiency.

The ECHO correspondent reports that, after an initial period of chaos, different sectors (government, private sector and international community) are co-ordinating their efforts. Nevertheless, the need for international assistance persists, especially in the fields of water and sanitation, epidemic surveillance and logistic support. The needs for rehabilitation and reconstruction are huge, but they have not been evaluated yet.

An expert mission is being prepared to carry out an evaluation and to identify specific actions. At this stage, it is not possible to provide the exact amount of money planned for this action, as it will depend very much on the findings of the expert mission, and on the sharing of the burden of the reconstruction effort with other donors.

In the absence of a detailed assessment of the needs it would be premature to enter into details of the Commission's support for the reconstruction of Venezuela. Contacts with other donors need to be strengthened in order to promote a co-ordinated effort of the international community and a clear definition of the priorities for action.

The Portuguese Red Cross has not applied for funding to the Community. It is understoud that this humanitarian organisation is not present, for the time being, in Venezuela.