From humanitarian aid to development
Experience of previous disasters shows that any gap between the relief effort and the start of reconstruction activities can cost lives and livelihoods. It is essential to ensure that swift and quality humanitarian aid is followed up with appropriate rehabilitation and development support. The Commission designed its humanitarian response programme to ensure that aid agencies move quickly and smoothly from emergency support to the fi rst phase of rehabilitation. For example, food distribution programmes have been replaced by food for work and then cash for work activities. The distribution of fresh drinking water has been replaced by the rehabilitation and construction of new wells. In order to help the victims start rebuilding their lives Commission humanitarian support includes the fi rst phase of rehabilitation: building material and tools for those able to rebuild their houses, the repair and provision of small fi shing boats, distribution of seeds and tools, and the restoration of basic public health services.
Commission plans for post-tsunami reconstruction
The European Commission has earmarked €350 million for post-tsunami reconstruction. This includes the Tsunami Indicative Programme (€323 million spread over two years) and €27 million under regional and Rapid Reaction Mechanism funds. €12 million was immediately released to kick-start the longer-term reconstruction work.
The long term programme will focus on repairing housing and social amenities, and restarting livelihoods so that individuals and their families can get back to leading normal lives. It will also fund the repair of large infrastructures such as roads. While humanitarian aid is provided through Non-Governmental Organisations, UN agencies and the Red Cross, long term aid is also channelled through, or in co-operation with, national or local authorities.
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