WRITTEN QUESTION No. 4043/98 by Ian WHITE Puerto Morazan - Hurricane Mitch
Date: 1999-01-13
Institutions: European Parliament, WHITE
Subjects: EU aid, EU financing, Honduras, Nicaragua, aid to disaster victims, cyclone, economic reconstruction, emergency aid, non-governmental organisation, project management













EUR-Lex - 91998E4043 - EN






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91998E4043

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 4043/98 by Ian WHITE Puerto Morazan - Hurricane Mitch  


Official Journal C 370 , 21/12/1999 P. 0017 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-4043/98by Ian White (PSE) to the Commission(13 January 1999)Subject: Puerto Morazan - Hurricane MitchHow much money has the EU made available for emergency aid for Nicaragua and Honduras? Can this be increased?How much EU aid is channelled through the NGO community and international relief agencies, rather than the Nicaraguan Government? What steps are being taken to increase this, so that all aid is channelled through the NGO community and international relief agencies?What steps are being taken to mobilise all EU Member State helicopters in the vicinity?How much construction help, in the form of road and bridge repair teams and equipment, has been sent to Nicaragua and Honduras? What steps are being taken to increase this and speed up their mobilisation?Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission(10 February 1999)So far the emergency aid mobilised by the Commission amounts to 8,2 million euro for Honduras and 5,5 million euro for Nicaragua. The Commission adopted a first decision on 4 November 1998 (6,8 million euro) in order to respond to the needs of the most vulnerable population throughout the region (food parcels, emergency relief items, medical support). A further relief programme, mainly focusing on water sanitation, health and housing was adopted by the Commission on 21 December 1998 (9,5 million euro). Furthermore, the Commission had reconverted 3 million euro from other programmes, mainly regional disaster-preparedness programmes, towards emergency aid for the affected population.During the course of the year the Commission will continue to increase its support to the region through the financing of projects (8 million euro), which will include a sizeable rehabilitation component in view of preparing the transition towards more structured rehabilitation and economic reconstruction aid from other budget sources.The Commission works mainly in partnership with non-governmental organisations, the specialised agencies of the United Nations and international bodies such as the International Committee of the Red Cross. In the case of Central America, aid is being channelled through the European non governmental organisations (NGO) which were already working in the region and through the Spanish, German and Austrian Red Cross in co-operation with their sister organisations from the affected countries.The Commission understands that the United States and Mexico in particular deployed helicopters to Nicaragua and Honduras thereby playing a lead role in bringing relief to cut-off villages.The Commission does not finance any reconstruction help in the form of road and bridge repair teams or equipment in Honduras and Nicaragua. However, it provides financial support for emergency reconstruction of hospitals, private houses and water installations. It recently mobilised 8,2 million euro for technical assistance needed for the preparation and implementation of a regional reconstruction programme in Central America. Details of this reconstruction programme will be contained in a communication which the Commission will present around March 1999 to the Parliament and the Council.