Brussels, 15/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - It will take another one billion dollars to provide the vital aid called for by the United Nations for the Horn of Africa (Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Eritrea and Djibouti) where 750,000 people face the imminent threat of death and 13.5 million are threatened by starvation, the European Parliament states with alarm, calling on the international community to scale up its efforts to face this emergency situation and avoid any further worsening of the situation. However, in addition to the appeal for a further burst of energy to address the urgent humanitarian needs, the unanimous resolution adopted by MEPs on 15 September in Strasbourg is a call for long term African measures, for the end of abusive speculation on the agri-food market that has contributed to the current famine, and for a coherent EU policy towards the fragile states. It is an indictment without appeal of the action taken by the Shabab Islamic movement in Somalia, which hinders humanitarian action in the countries most affected by famine. Over half the population depends on food aid, with 1.4 million displaced people and over 700,000 children severely under-nourished in the south of the country.
Strongly condemning the policy of hampering the work of humanitarian organisations, MEPs call on Catherine Ashton to carry out vital examination of the peace process in Djibouti. They underline the need to involve all parties in the conflict and to establish a national reconciliation regime.
Humanitarian organisations must be able to gain unhindered access to persons in need, and humanitarian corridors must be opened to send aid and food to the regions affected, MEPs assert, deploring the fact that the government of Eritrea refuses to allow humanitarian aid to enter the country for its population.
The Parliament welcomes the aid commitments made by the EU, committed to making €160 million in humanitarian aid available in 2011, in addition to the €440 million already provided by member states. This is in addition to €680 million for the Horn of Africa until 2013 under long term aid in the fields of agriculture, rural development and food security.
To ensure food security in the affected countries, MEPs call for more aid to be directed towards agricultural production and assistance to pastoralists, and for the international community to make long-term investments in agriculture as the main source of food and income in the region, and in building sustainable infrastructure. Parliament also underlines that small famers must have access to land. (AN/transl.jl)