THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No.1257/96 of 20 June 1996 concerning humanitarian aid(1), and in particular Article 2 and Article 15(2) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) The Republic of Haiti is emerging from a long period of political instability;
(2) Vulnerable populations are facing extreme conditions in the areas of nutrition, health, water, sanitation and food security, requiring a humanitarian response;
(3) In 2007 the country was hit by significant natural disasters, such as tropical storms Noel and Olga, which increased the fragility and poverty of the population;
(4) Deforestation, poverty and lack of social structure/health facilities make Haiti especially vulnerable to storm-related damage;
(5) In 2008 the floods and mudslides resulting from tropical storm Fay and hurricanes Gustav, Hanna and Ike caused devastation throughout Haiti within a month;
(6) In 2008 before the hurricane season, the levels of acute/chronic malnutrition and infant/maternal mortality indicated a serious social and health situation;
(7) In 2009 Haiti is facing multiple challenges, and it is necessary to strengthen the capacity for preparedness and response to crises;
(8) As the scale and complexity of the humanitarian crisis are such that it is likely to continue, a Global Plan that provides a coherent framework for humanitarian action is necessary;
(9) An assessment of the humanitarian situation leads to the conclusion that humanitarian aid operations should be financed by the European Communities for a period of 18 months;
(10) It is estimated that an amount of EUR 7,000,000 (of which EUR 5,000,000 from Article 23 02 01 and EUR 2,000,000 from Article 23 02 02) from the general budget of the European Communities is needed in order to provide humanitarian and food assistance to 1,000,000 of the most vulnerable people in Haiti, taking into account the available budget, operations by other donors, and other factors.
The activities covered by this Global Plan may be financed in full in accordance with Article 253 of the detailed rules for the implementation of the Financial Regulation;
(11) This Decision constitutes a financing decision within the meaning of Article 75 of the Financial Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002(2), Article 90 of Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002 laying down detailed rules for implementation of the Financial Regulation(3) and Article 15 of the internal rules for implementation of the general budget of the European Communities(4);
(12) To reach populations in need, the aid may be channelled through Non- Governmental Organisations (NGOs) or International Organisations, including United Nations agencies. The European Commission will therefore implement the budget by direct centralised management or by joint management;
(13) In accordance with Article 17 (3) of Council Regulation (EC) No.1257/96 of 20 June 1996 concerning humanitarian aid, the Humanitarian Aid Committee gave a favourable opinion on 23 April 2009.
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
Article 1
1. In accordance with the objectives and general principles of humanitarian aid, the Commission hereby approves a sum of EUR 7,000,000 for a 2009 Global Plan to bring relief and humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable populations in Haiti, under Articles 23 02 01 (EUR 5,000,000) and 23 02 02 (EUR 2,000,000) of the 2009 general budget of the European Communities.
2. In accordance with Article 2 of Council Regulation (EC) No.1257/96, the humanitarian operations in this Global Plan shall be implemented with the following specific objectives:
1) to provide multi-sectoral aid to contribute to reducing malnutrition and mortality. An amount of EUR 4,800,000 from budget article 23 02 01 has been allocated to this specific objective.
2) to provide food assistance to complement the global strategy for the reduction of malnutrition and mortality. An amount of EUR 2,000,000 from budget article 23 02 02 has been allocated to this specific objective.
3) to strengthen the preparedness and response to humanitarian crises. An amount of EUR 200,000 from budget article 23 02 01 has been allocated to this specific objective.
Article 2
As regards specific objectives 1 and 3 set out in Article 1(2) and financed from budget article 23 02 01, the Commission may, where this is justified by the humanitarian situation, re-allocate the funding levels established for one of the specific objectives set out in Article 1(2) to another objective mentioned therein, provided that the re-allocated amount represents less than 20% of the global amount covered by this Decision and does not exceed EUR 2,000,000.
Article 3
1. This Global Plan shall be implemented over a maximum period of 18 months, starting on 1 July 2009.
2. Expenditure under this Global Plan shall be eligible from 1 July 2009.
3. If the operations envisaged in this Global Plan are suspended due to force majeure or comparable circumstances, the period of suspension will not be taken into account for the calculation of the duration of the implementation of this Global Plan.
Article 4
1. The Commission shall implement the budget by direct centralised management or by joint management with international organisations.
2. The operations financed by this Global Plan will be implemented:
- either by non-profit-making organisations which fulfil the eligibility and suitability criteria established in Article 7 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1257/96;
- or by international organisations.
3. Taking account of the specific nature of humanitarian aid, the type of activities to be undertaken, the specific location constraints and the level of urgency, the activities covered by this Global Plan may be financed in full in accordance with Article 253 of the Implementing Rules for the Financial Regulation.
Article 5
This Decision shall take effect on the date of its adoption.
Done at Brussels,
For the Commission
Member of the Commission
Notes
(1) OJ L 163, 2.7.1996, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p.1.
(3) OJ L 357, 31.12.2002, p.1
(4) Commission Decision of 5.3.2008, C/2008/773