Jerusalem, 2nd March 2010 - The European Commission has allocated €58 million in humanitarian aid to support operations in favour of the most vulnerable people affected by the ongoing crisis in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) and to Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. The funds are channelled through the Commission's Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO), under the responsibility of Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva.
Kristalina Georgieva, European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, said: "This humanitarian financing shows that Europe cares. Our help for the helpless is crucial to saving lives and reducing suffering in humanitarian hotspots around the world."
She added: "Humanitarian aid is crucial in saving lives and alleviating suffering until longer term solutions are found. It goes to those most in need, irrespective of their nationality, religion, political affiliation or ethnic origin."
The Commission-funded humanitarian projects are implemented by non-governmental relief organisations, specialised UN agencies and the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement. The funds which aim at protecting and assisting the most vulnerable segments of the population of the occupied Palestinian territory, and Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, will also improve their nutritional status by delivering food assistance as well as short-term food security and emergency livelihood support. Psychosocial support especially to children is also a major component, in addition to access to clean water and basic health services.
The European Commission continues to be one of the largest humanitarian donors for the Palestinian population in the Middle East. Since 2000, the Commission's total humanitarian response to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has reached more than €500 million. In addition to the humanitarian assistance provided through ECHO, the European Union, the largest donor to the Palestinian people, channels assistance through its PEGASE mechanism, to help the Palestinian authority meet the needs of all Palestinians and to help strengthening their Institutions.
For further information, please contact:
Fadwa Baroud
European Commission Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO), Jerusalem
Tel: + 972 2 628 99 96, Mob+ 972 548 022 760
Email: fadwa.baroud@echo-jerusalem.org
Heinke Veit
European Commission Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO), Amman regional
office
Tel: + 962.6.460 70 00 Mob: +962795570203 Email: heinke.veit@ec.europa.eu
For further information: http://ec.europa.eu/echo/index_en.htm