Sharing the same concerns about the human, economic and social impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the EU’s most vulnerable partner countries, MEPs from the European Parliament’s Committee on Development and representatives of the European Commission again took stock of the implementation of the EU’s global response to the pandemic on Monday 15 June.
This response involves a contribution of €36 billion, of which €20 billion was released in April. The Deputy Director of the Commission’s Development Services, Marjeta Jager, indicated that common guidelines had been sent to all delegations and embassies. She reported “very positive feedback already”.
For example, €765 million is earmarked for East Africa (including €285 million for the health sector) and Mali: with the support of the Member States, “almost half of the Malian government’s response plan” has been financed. In Asia, €93 million could be mobilised to support workers in the textile sector.
Like Tomas Tobé (EPP, Sweden), Mrs Jager expressed concern about the pandemic’s considerable indirect costs.
Fearing that the food crisis is worsening, the Commission is preparing a major food summit, it announced, recalling that between 2014 and 2020, €9 billion was invested in food security and nutrition in more than 60 countries.
While the epidemic is receding in Europe, there is great concern for Latin America, which is experiencing the peak of the pandemic, as well as for Iran, Bangladesh, Pakistan and India, which are experiencing a sharp increase in cases. Michael Kohle, deputy director for humanitarian aid, said health experts in the different countries are providing the Commission with a weekly analysis.
By adapting ongoing projects, €269 million have so far been mobilised, but, “without robbing Peter to pay Paul, we have been able to meet the needs in many of the most affected countries, such as Congo and Colombia”. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)