EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/85

(2004/C 88 E/0093)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2442/03

by Jürgen Zimmerling (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(22 July 2003)

Subject: Help for Madagascar

As part of the process of adjusting to NATO standards, the national armies of the accession countries are having to renew old equipment and items such as tents and field kitchens.

The old equipment is still worth quite a lot and is in good condition, so could be used in the Third World, since it is very suitable for non-military use.

The President of Madagascar, Mr Marc Ravalomanana, recently asked whether the European Union could look into the question of financing transport of this material from its humanitarian aid funds (a copy of his letter and a list of the equipment needed has been sent to the Commission). This request is prompted by the latest natural disaster in Madagascar, where this equipment and material is urgently needed. What is the Commission's attitude on this matter?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(4 September 2003)

The Commission is aware that Madagascar suffers periodically from natural disasters, and in particular, that it was seriously affected by Tropical Cyclone Manou in May 2003. The Commission responded swiftly to assist cyclone victims, by means of current budget facilities, such as food security, transport and the system for the stabilization of export earnings (Stabex).

Concerning possible help for Madagascar, in relation to the question of financing the transport of equipment discarded by national armies of accession countries, the Commission has not yet received a letter from President Ravalomanana on this subject. However, as regards the possibility to use the humanitarian aid budget for financing such transport, it should be borne in mind that the terms of implementation of this budget line are clearly defined by Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/96 of 20 June 1996 (1). This is the legal basis on which the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) operates.

In concrete terms, ECHO could only finance such transport in response to a specific disaster, and only via its recognised partners, thus excluding direct government funding.

As the Honourable Member is aware, funding for humanitarian actions is provided on the basis of requests presented by recognised humanitarian actors such as United Nations Agencies, the different components of the Red Cross movement and specialised humanitarian non-governmental organisations (NGOs). These actors — ECHO partners — assess the need of the victims in an impartial and neutral way and present proposals with a clear strategy to increase the impact and the sustainability of the planned operation. Humanitarian operations are not limited to the transport of goods and equipment to a crisis region, but imply co-ordination with local capacities and the implementation of a complex range of activities.

In this context, attention must be paid to the cost-effectiveness of the means used for implementing the activities envisaged to reach the interventions' objectives.

ECHO has not received, up to this moment, any request from its humanitarian partners involving the transfer of decommissioned military equipment to Madagascar.

In any case, the state of use of this equipment and its real suitability to humanitarian aid actions are to be carefully considered. This assessment lies on ECHO'S implementing partners; it must be carried out in relation to the identified needs and in the best interest of the beneficiaries of the aid.

In the event of receiving such a request, ECHO will examine it keeping in mind the principle of sound financial management enunciated in the Financial Regulation.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/96 of 20 June 1996 concerning humanitarian aid, OJ L 163, 2.7.1996.