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Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No.1257/96 of 20 June 1996 concerning humanitarian aid, and in particular Article 2 and 15(2) thereof,

Whereas:

(1) Commission Decision C/2009/4019 adopted on 15 May 2009 provides for the funding of humanitarian aid actions in Zimbabwe from the general budget of the European Union for a total amount of EUR 8,000,000 from budget article 23 02 01, starting from 1 May 2009, with a duration of 12 months ;

(2) There is need for continuing and timely support for interventions to address outstanding needs in the health and water / sanitation sectors ;

(3) An assessment of outstanding needs and funding available from other EC sources was carried out during an interservice mission to identify a short-term strategy of support for Zimbabwe in July/August 2009 which has resulted in a decision to rebalance the remaining funding available to Zimbabwe between the two humanitarian budget lines in order to reflect the needs in the different sectors ;

(4) Partners continue to submit requests for funding of essential health and water and sanitation actions that could not be met from the funds available under Decision C/2009/4019.

(5) It is therefore appropriate to increase the amount of Decision C/2009/4019 by EUR 5,000,000, so as to meet the objectives of the Decision in the best possible way, that is, to contribute to the recovery of essential health and safe water supply services, and to extend its validity from 12 to 18 months, the additional six months being necessary to allow a reasonable implementation period following the increase of the amount of the Decision.

(6) This brings the total amount of Decision C/2009/4019 up to EUR 13,000,000 from budget article 23 02 01 of the 2009 general budget of the European Union, and its duration to 18 months, taking into account the available budget, other donors' interventions and other factors.

(7) In accordance with Article 17(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No.1257/96 of 20 June 1996, the Humanitarian Aid Committee gave a favourable opinion on 27 October 2009.

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Article 1 of Decision C/2009/4019 is replaced by the following:

"1. In accordance with the objectives and general principles of humanitarian aid, the Commission hereby approves a total amount of EUR 13,000,000 for Humanitarian aid to support vulnerable populations in Zimbabwe affected by the breakdown of essential health and water supply services by using article 23 02 01 of the 2009 general budget of the European Union.

2. In accordance with Article 2 of Council Regulation No.1257/96, the humanitarian Actions under this Decision shall be implemented in the pursuance of the following specific objectives:

- To contribute to the recovery of essential health services for the most vulnerable population groups by supporting the strengthening of the emergency preparedness and response capacity, and the provision of vital medicines and medical supplies;

EUR 5,552,194 of this Decision is allocated to this specific objective.

- To contribute to the recovery of safe water supply services for the most vulnerable population groups by supporting the supply of essential water supply chemicals, spare parts and rehabilitation ;

EUR 7,447,806 of this Decision is allocated to this specific objective."

Article 2

Article 3(1) of Decision C/2009/4019 is replaced by the following:

"1. The duration for the implementation of this Decision shall be for a maximum period of 18 months, starting on 1 May 2009."

Done at Brussels, [...]

For the Commission
Member of the Commission