WRITTEN QUESTION P-0424/03

by Paulo Casaca (PSE) to the Commission

(11 February 2003)

Subject: Famine in Ethiopia

A report in Público of 6 February 2003 indicates that the estimated figures for potential victims of the famine currently devastating Ethiopia are growing more alarming and that the Commission has apparently decided to release a further EUR 5 million to help ease the situation.

Does the Commission believe this is the most appropriate way of responding to the sheer gravity of the situation in Ethiopia?

Does it intend to bring this situation to the attention of the other European institutions?

Does it believe that it has sufficient budgetary resources to tackle the situation?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(19 March 2003)

The population affected by the food crisis in Ethiopia is estimated at 11,3 million and a further 3,1 million if the situation in the area deteriorates, particularly if the next rainy season (April-July) is bad. Food aid requirements are estimated at 1,44 million tonnes for 2003.

In October 2002, the Commission responded to an appeal launched by Ethiopia to cover the requirements of the last quarter of 2002 and mobilised EUR 23 million under the food security budget line for the purchase of around 97 000 tons of food grains, of which 60 000 tonnes had been distributed to populations at the end of 2002. In November 2002, the European Community Humanitarian Office, ECHO, granted EUR 4 million to be used to provide drought victims with healthcare, therapeutic feeding and access to water.

Faced with a deteriorating situation on the ground, the Commission decided before the appeal for international aid launched by the Ethiopian Government and the United Nations in December 2002 to mobilise the emergency reserve of the Community budget for a massive food aid operation in the Horn of Africa, of which a total of EUR 70 000 was allocated to Ethiopia for 260 000 tonnes of food aid to be delivered and distributed during the first six months of 2003.

These amounts were supplemented in January 2003 by a grant of EUR 5 million worth of food aid (15 750 tonnes) through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Since October 2002, the Commission has granted a total of EUR 102 million for the Ethiopian population, equivalent to more than 372 000 tonnes of food aid, or over 22 % of total estimated requirements for the period from October 2002 to December 2003 (15 months) and 1/3 of total requirements from October 2002 to June 2003 (9 months).

These substantial amounts are currently being mobilised.

The situation in the Horn of Africa and in Southern Africa was discussed on 4 February 2003 at an ad hoc committee organised in Brussels at the Commission's initiative and with the participation of the 15 Member States. The aim of this meeting was to share information concerning these two crises and reinforce coordination between the Community and the Member States (through their bilateral aid operations) regarding our short, medium and long term response to food security problems in these countries, especially Ethiopia.

The conclusions of this meeting and relevant information can be obtained on request from EuropeAid Co-operation Office (Franck.Viault@cec.eu.int) or DG Development (Myfanwy.Van-De-Velde@cec.eu.int)

By mobilising the 2002 budget emergency reserve at the end of 2002, and the 2003 budget from the food security budget line, the Commission committed substantial amounts at an early stage in response to the crisis affecting Ethiopia. Thanks to this contribution (275 000 tonnes from the Community for 2003), and particularly the contributions from the United States (262 000 tonnes) and the United Kingdom (70 000 tonnes), the country's food aid requirements are estimated to be covered for the first half of 2003.

For the second half of the year, the Commission has reserved EUR 20 million for food aid operations for Ethiopia to be implemented through the World Food Programme, non-governmental organisations and the ICRC.

If the nutritional status of the populations were to deteriorate, additional ECHO allocations could be considered.

If drought persists in Ethiopia in 2003, and donor response is inadequate, we could also consider drawing on the emergency reserve of the 2003 budget for humanitarian aid operations and food aid operations.

In budgetary terms, the response to short term requirements must not jeopardise the Commission's medium and long term food security operations in Ethiopia: EUR 60 million worth of programmes and projects are in progress under the food security budget line and EUR 54 million programmed under the 9th European Development Fund (EDF), as food security was selected as a priority sector for cooperation with this country.