WRITTEN QUESTION E-4081/03 by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission. Tuberculosis.
Date: 2004-01-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, action programme, aid policy, health aid, infectious disease, medicinal product

C 88 E/670

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

To be entitled to ECHO funding, humanitarian NGOs must undergo a selection procedure which may lead
to the signature of a Framework Partnership Agreement with ECHO. Such an agreement, which sets the
principles of collaboration between ECHO and humanitarian organisations, defines the respective roles,
rights and obligations and contains the legal provisions applicable to the humanitarian operations financed
by ECHO, also sets out the requirements NGOs must fulfil in order to become and remain ECHO-partners,
as well as the selection procedure applied by the Office in respect to NGOs.

The selection of partner-NGOs is based on well-defined eligibility and suitability criteria, some of which
stem from the regulatory framework of the Commission and others arise from the need for introducing
quality and accountability standards, as a result of the debate developed over the years within the civil
society and between ECHO and its partners.

Concerning the legal eligibility and suitability requirements, the selection criteria are guided by three
regulations: the Council Regulation on humanitarian aid (1), the Council Regulation applicable to the
general budget of the European Communities (2) and its Implementing Rules (3).

In particular, the eligibility criteria take into account the NGO’s country of registration (Article 7(1) of the
integrity of the organisation (Article 93 of Council
Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/96), the moral
Regulation (EC) No 1605/2002) and the obligation to present financial statements audited by an external
professional body (Article 173(4) of Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002). Proof of
adhesion to a code of conduct stating the principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence in the
delivery of the aid is also requested. The suitability criteria take into account the NGO’s administrative,
operational and financial capacity (Article 7(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/96), and in particular
its experience and specialisation in the humanitarian field. Amongst others, the budget percentage devoted
by the NGO to humanitarian aid activities and the use of minimum quality standards at different levels are
examined.

Before a partnership agreement is concluded with an NGO, ECHO verifies that it fulfils the eligibility and
suitability criteria through a range of means, which include information and documentation provided by
the organisation, consultation with the relevant national authorities, as well as verification audits carried
out by ECHO staff on the organisation’s premises. Once admitted to partnership, NGOs are checked on an
annual basis in order to verify that they keep complying with the eligibility requirements. Once admitted
to funding, partner NGOs and individual ECHO-funded projects are audited by ECHO’s representatives on
a regular basis, both at headquarters and in the field, usually no less than once a year.

All the details of the selection procedure applied by ECHO to NGOs are published on the Office’s web-
site (4). The text of the Framework Partnership Agreement is also available on the web; the requirements to
be fulfilled by NGOs are referred to in Title II, articles 6-14 of the Provisions.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/96 of 20 June 1996 concerning humanitarian aid, OJ L 163, 2.7.1996.
(2) Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the

general budget of the European Communities, OJ L 248, 16.9.2002.

(3) Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002 of 23 December 2002 laying down detailed rules for the
implementation of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the
general budget of the European Communities, OJ L 357, 31.12.2002.

(4) http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/humanitarian_aid/index_en.htm

(2004/C 88 E/0689)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4081/03

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(14 January 2004)

Subject: Tuberculosis

The Global Drug Facility (GDF) has been successful in providing a reliable and cheap supply of high quality
TB drugs, serving nearly two million patients in 46 countries over the past two years.

8.4.2004

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Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/671

However, the GDF is in urgent need of additional funding if its work is to continue.

Does the Commission recognise the role of the GDF in combating TB and does it intend to provide the
organisation with funding to enable it to continue its work?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(20 February 2004)

The Commission recognises the important role the Global Tuberculosis (TB) Drug Facility (GDF) plays
within the Stop TB partnership to expand access to, and availability of, high-quality TB drugs to facilitate
global Directly Observed Treatment Short-regime (DOTS) expansion to control TB worldwide.

The Commission already provides support for the fight against TB as part of the Programme for Action:
accelerated action on Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS),
malaria and tuberculosis in the context of poverty reduction, which established a broad and coherent
Community response for 2001-2006. Community programmed support through the various financial
instruments to confront HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, will total close to EUR 1,2 billion for the
period 2003-2006. This figure includes support to the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and
malaria. The Commission has disbursed EUR 120 million to the fund for 2002 and has programmed
support of EUR 340 million for years 2003-2006, out of which 170 million have already been paid. 17 %
of the funds allocated in the initial rounds went to TB control programmes. It is estimated that these
projects will provide Directly Observed Treatment Short-Regime (DOTS) coverage for 2,8 million patients
as compared with a coverage of 830,000 in 2000. Furthermore, 46 % of the funds for all diseases are
allocated to providing drugs and commodities. Given this, the Commission does not intend to provide
direct support to the GDF.

(2004/C 88 E/0690)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4083/03

by Bob van den Bos (ELDR)
and Johanna Boogerd-Quaak (ELDR) to the Commission

(14 January 2004)

Subject: Burma

The human rights situation in Burma is still appalling.

1.
The US Administration has now passed a law prohibiting new investment in Burma. The EU has
taken no economic measures to date. While European firms are discouraged from investing in Burma,
European firms continue to operate there (for example the French multinational TotalFinaElf). Their
activities provide a source of income for the junta. Is the Commission prepared to impose a ban on joint
ventures with Burmese state concerns and to deny access to the EU market for products resulting from
such cooperation between European firms and Burmese state concerns? If so, when and how does it intend
to do so? If not, why not?

2.
Arms are being supplied to Burma on a large scale. It would appear that these arms come from ten
or so countries, including Russia, India, China, Israel and Ukraine. Given that the EU has in the recent past
been able to prevent the supply of arms to Bosnia, is the Commission prepared to attempt to do the same
regarding arms supplies from the above countries? If so, how does it intend to do so? If not, why not?