IP/06/1887
Brussels, 21 December 2006
Commission provides €2 million in humanitarian aid for Somali refugees in Kenya
The European Commission has allocated €2 million in humanitarian aid to support the rising number of Somali refugees in Kenya. Since the beginning of 2006, Kenya has seen a steadily increasing refugee influx from Somalia. Each day around 1,200 Somali refugees arrive currently in Kenya. The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has so far registered 32,000 new arrivals this year on top of the 126,000 Somalis already living in refugee camps in Kenya. The aim of the Commission's assistance is to support activities covering the basic needs of the new Somali refugees (shelter, food, basic health services, sanitation).
Louis Michel, Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, said: "Somalia's fast-changing political situation and complex internal conflicts are once again in the international spotlight. The Somali people suffering from the consequences deserve the same attention. The effects of several years of drought have increased the humanitarian needs. The European Commission has been a very active donor right from the start. The additional €2 million confirm our continued humanitarian commitment alongside our political engagement to contribute to peace and stabilisation in Somalia." He added: "I also thank Kenya for hosting the Somali refugees at a time when the own population in particular in the north of the country faces economic hardship because of the severe drought in the region. The Commission is playing its part in helping to improve drought preparedness in the whole of the Horn of Africa."
EU humanitarian assistance inside Somalia
Since 2003, funding for Somalia from the Commission's Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO) has totalled €19.5 million, helping nearly one million of the most vulnerable people. Support includes funding hospitals, feeding malnourished children, providing clean water, helping displaced people to meet their basic needs and supporting agricultural and pastoral recovery with seeds, livestock and veterinary support.
Drought preparedness in the Horn of Africa
Additional funding to mitigate the effects of drought in the Horn of Africa has also been made available (see IP/06/775). The Commission's drought-related assistance for the region covers seven countries[1] and totals €92 million (since 2005), including €31 million in humanitarian assistance.
Working with partners
European Commission funded humanitarian aid projects are implemented by non-governmental relief organisations, specialized UN agencies and the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement. All funds are channelled through ECHO under the responsibility of Commissioner Louis Michel. ECHO's regional support office in Nairobi closely follows developments in the humanitarian situation and monitors the use of the Commission's relief funds.
EU engagement beyond humanitarian aid
In May 2006, the Commission decided to provide €70 million for a Somalia Recovery Programme (SRP) to help making basic social services available to the poorest and most vulnerable people and to reduce food insecurity (see IP/06/659). The money comes from the 9th European Development Fund.
The European Commission is also part of the International Somalia Contact Group which aims to contribute to peace and stabilisation in Somalia.
In March, Commissioner Louis Michel called for a strategy for peace, security and development in the Horn of Africa focusing on regional governance, natural resource management and food security (see IP/06/338).
[1] Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda.