Brussels, 30/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - In 2012, the European Union committed €286.1 million under the Instrument for Stability (IfS) to prevent conflicts in various countries or regions of the world, or to bring rapid response to situations of emerging crisis threatening regional or international security. This was revealed by the annual IfS report published by the European Commission on Monday 29 July.
Action is under way in 50 countries, reveals the report - the sixth of its kind - on a strategic aid instrument placed under the authority of High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton to complement other EU action taken under development aid, humanitarian aid and common security and defence policy (CSDP) missions.
Out of the €286.1 million representing the whole of the available budget, committed in full, €195.8 million was committed for situations of crisis or emerging crisis, €22 million for responding to trans-regional threats, €46.3 million for mitigating chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) risks, and €22 million for pre-crisis capacity building (early warning system, conflict prevention, preparation for crises) and post-crisis capacity building (maintaining peace).
The Middle East and North Africa (39%) were the main recipients, followed by Sub-Saharan Africa (37%), Asia and the Pacific (13%), the Southern Caucasus and Central Asia (7%).
Syria features in a number of fields for action, with a vast aid programme for populations that are victim of the civil war in Syria and in the region. In North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, the IfS particularly supports Libya, Niger and Mali to help them face regional security challenges. In Asia, the IfS enabled support for a peace centre in Burma/Myanmar to be set up.
In 2012, action was taken mainly in partnership with the United Nations agencies (46%) and international and local NGOs (23%), and also with other international organisations (21%), member state bodies (7%) and the private sector (3%).
The 2012 annual report can be consulted online at: http://eeas.europa.eu/ifs/docs/ifs_annual _report_2012_en.pdf (AN/transl.fl)