Vienna, 5 August 2011 – In view of the ongoing dramatic situation in the Horn of Africa Austria will step up its aid from 850,000 euros to 1.5 million euros: “The humanitarian catastrophe in the Horn of Africa calls for Austria’s solidarity with the crisis region. With its first emergency aid package in the amount of 850,000 euros Austria provided a swift response, but further steps are necessary. Austria will therefore almost double its aid, contributing a total of 1.5 million euros to international aid efforts,” said Foreign Minister and Vice-Chancellor Michael Spindelegger.

The Ministry of Agriculture will make available 150,000 euros out of food aid funds which will be administered via the UN World Food Programme. “Throughout the world, farmers are particularly affected by the negative consequences of climate change, as they generate their produce directly in tandem with nature. Solidarity with and support for people in need is therefore an obligation for those working in agriculture. Swift aid with a minimum of red tape bureaucracy is of decisive importance in mitigating the misery of those affected,” said Minister of Agriculture Niki Berlakovich in justification of the aid.

A further 500,000 euros are being provided by the Federal Government out of the Foreign Catastrophe Fund, which doubles the contribution from this source. The funds are to benefit international organisations which are active in the region.

So far Austria has provided 850,000 euros for the crisis in the Horn of Africa, made up of federal resources and resources from the provinces of Upper Austria, Vorarlberg and Tyrol.

For further information, contact: Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs Press Department Tel.: ++43 (0) 50 1150-3262 , -4549, -4550 Fax: ++43 (0) 50 1159-213
E-mail: abti3(at)bmeia.gv.at