Brussels, 03/03/2000 (Agence Europe) - Presenting a Commission declaration on the disaster that has hit Mozambique, Commissioner Chris Pattten recalled that the Community Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) has already released aid of one million euro to meet the most urgent needs. A second decision for making another two million available is in preparation, said the Commissioner, before speaking of a medium term commitment for restoring growth rates and the "urgent need for reconstruction". Recalling that he was minister for cooperation in his country between 1986 and 1989, Mr Patten said he was considerably attached to this country which has made a real effort to build a "strong and stable society". He recommended the creation of a rapid response structure for disasters, and told MEPs that his colleague, Nielson, who is currently in Mozambique, is willing to report to them on his return.
After the fashion of Portuguese Conservative Arlindo Cunha, who recalled that the flooding began three weeks ago, several MEPs recalled the considerable effort made by Mozambique to get back on its feet after the civil war. They insisted on sending helicopters as a matter of urgency to save tens of thousands of persons still clinging to trees or on rooftops. The Commission and the EU Member States must step up its efforts, said Spanish Socialist Francisca Sauquillo, who recalled that the government of Mozambique has evaluated aid requirements at $65 million. There are a large number of lives taken with every passing day, stressed Dutch Liberal Bob van den Bos, who criticised the time it has taken for the Commission to react.
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