Brussels, 19/07/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 16 July, the European Commission announced its decision to grant €5 million in emergency food aid to the vulnerable populations of South-East Africa (Malawi and Mozambique) and of the Indian Ocean (Comoros, Madagascar). These two regions are among the most exposed to natural disasters in the world.
The short-term food aid “will promote disaster preparedness in disaster-prone regions”, said Kristalina Georgieva, European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Crisis Response.
The funds, to come from the budget of Echo (the humanitarian aid service of the Commission), will pay for short- and medium-term food aid, and for short-term support for the preservation of the subsistence resources of the local communities. This support, which will focus on crops, tools and cattle and on actions to support family capacities, will also go to pay for technical assistance to the partner operations and awareness-raising campaigns. (A.N./transl.fl)