THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EU) 2015/322 of 2 March 2015 on the implementation of the 11th European Development Fund1 and in particular Article 9(3) thereof,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EU) 2015/323 of 2 March 2015 on the financial regulation applicable to the 11th European Development Fund2 and in particular Article 26 thereof Whereas:
(1) Hurricane Matthew made landfall in Haiti on 4 October as a category 4 hurricane, causing widespread flooding and damage to housing, agriculture and infrastructure;
(2) It is estimated that at least 2.1 million people are affected, including 894 000 children,
1.4 million people in need of assistance, including 500 000 children, with at least 125 000 requiring protection from exploitation, violation and abuse;
(3) The passage of Matthew has exacerbated the situation of the cholera epidemics in the country, especially in directly affected areas. Countrywide, cases have increased with 6 096 suspected cholera cases reported from 4 October to 9 November.
(4) A total of 695 temporary shelters have been inventoried by IOM. Of these, 254 have been assessed, hosting 8 654 households, representing 35 074 individuals. OCHA estimates that 175 500 people are still living in 307 temporary shelters due to Matthew and some 80 000 houses have been damaged;
(5) An estimated 116 000 children are out of school and around 86 schools located in Matthew affected areas continue to be used as shelters by displaced population;
(6) To reach populations in need, humanitarian aid should be channelled through nongovernmental organisations, international organisations including United Nations agencies or directly by the Commission. Where necessary, recourse to Member States' specialised agencies should also be possible. The Commission should therefore implement the budget either by direct management or by indirect management in accordance with Articles 17 and 37 of Regulation (EU) 2015/323 together with Articles 58, 60 and 121 et seq. of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2012/966.
(7) An assessment of the humanitarian situation leads to the conclusion that humanitarian aid actions should be financed by the Union for a maximum period of 18 months.
(8) Pursuant to Article 37 of Regulation (EU) 2015/323 and Article 130 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union3 , and in view of the specific nature of humanitarian aid, expenditure incurred before the date of submission of a proposal for action should be eligible for Union funding.
(9) The use of the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) set up by the Internal Agreement4 is necessary as all the funds for African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries in the general budget are entirely allocated.
(10) It is estimated that an amount of EUR 16 000 000 from the reserve for Unforeseen Needs (B-envelope) of the 11th EDF is necessary to provide humanitarian assistance to populations directly affected by Hurricane Matthew. Although as a general rule actions financed by this Decision should be co-financed, the Authorising Officer should be able to agree to the financing of actions in full, in accordance with Articles 2(1) and 37(1) of Regulation (EU) 2015/323, together with Article 277 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1268/20125 ,
(11) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the European Development Fund Committee set up under Article 8 of the 11th EDF Internal Agreement.