EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/26

(2004/C 78 E/0028)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1033/03

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(28 March 2003)

Subject: Famine in Africa

The Commission is undoubtedly aware of the recent report from Nairobi in which the FAO points out that 14 million people in Ethiopia — out of a total population of 63 million — urgently need food aid. So far, the international organisations fighting famine have only managed to secure 40 % of the minimum requirement. Even if the ration of cereals per person is cut to 12,5 kilos — compared to the 15 kilos considered necessary for survival — stocks will run out by June. In statistical terms, the situation is even worse in Eritrea, where, out of a total population of 3,5 million, 2 million persons are in need of food, while current stocks will last until the end of April at best. Meanwhile, more than 28 % of children under five are suffering from severe malnutrition. Eritrea is also suffering from widespread livestock losses caused by the devastating drought that has ravaged the country for four years.

In the light of the above, will the Commission say:

1. what aid has been given to Ethiopia and Eritrea?

2. in the light of the fall in cereal crops (four fifths lower than the average for the last decade), what measures it has taken or plans to take in cooperation with the FAO to help production to recover?

3. whether it intends to promote the training of farmers in particularly suitable cultivation techniques in order to help achieve this objective?

4. whether it believes priority should be given to promoting projects to identify and exploit aquifers, in cooperation with the governments of the drought-affected countries and other international humanitarian agencies?

5. whether the Commission is cooperating with charity organisations operating in the African regions concerned to achieve these goals, in addition to humanitarian aid activities?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(8 May 2003)

The Commission is indeed aware of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Report on the current food crisis in Ethiopia, even if it does not share its claims in terms of the numbers of people affected (which were revised down to EUR 11,3 million for Ethiopia in December 2002) and, by extension, the percentage of needs met. The assertion that more than 28 % of children under five are suffering from severe malnutrition in Eritrea is also extremely doubtful, and is unfortunately an illustration of the tendency amongst certain involved partners to present an exaggerated picture of emergency situations.

This being said, the food crisis in the Horn of Africa is of course very real, even if — through greatly improved early warning systems and generous donor response — it has not developed into a catastrophic famine such as has been known in the past.

The Commission itself has made an unprecedented response to the crisis in Ethiopia and Eritrea, and, together with Member States, has covered some 35-40 % of the assessed food needs to end-2003. A table is sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.

However, a high priority for the Commission in terms of policy objectives, for Ethiopia in particular, is to support efforts to achieve food security, since some four to five million Ethiopians are predictably food insecure, for structural reasons, every year — including years of good harvests. For this reason, the Commission has set aside in its 9th European Development Fund allocation for Ethiopia a sum of EUR 54 million for programmes in support of food security. The programmes to be funded under this allocation are now being identified and appraised, but are likely to include the improvement of livestock health services, improved access to water points and support for an improved grain marketing system.

The Commission is cooperating and will undoubtedly continue to cooperate with charity organisations operating in the food insecure countries of Africa to support food security, as well as of course in humanitarian aid activities.