18/12/2003
Commission Cements Relations With The Red Cross

Poul Nielson, European Commissioner with responsibility for development and humanitarian aid met Jakob Kellenberger, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) this week according to a Commission statement and cemented ties between the two organisations. Both men voiced their concern at the increasing disregard for international humanitarian law in a growing number of conflicts, which had led to a great number of civilian casualties, and rehearsed the security issues facing field staff.

Mr Nielson informed Mr Kellenberger of the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid Office's decision to grant €10 million to an ICRC protection programme for civilians, prisoners and detainees, separated families and victims of armed conflict around the world. The decision brings the total ECHO contribution to ICRC programmes to €47.6 million for 2003.

Lastly, Mr Nielson confirmed that ECHO - the EU's Humanitarian aid office - intended to sign a new partnership agreement with each member of the international Red Cross movement on 18 December. In so doing, ECHO was reaffirming its trust in the ICRC, the International Federation of the Red Cross, the EU's fifteen national Red Cross societies and the Norwegian Red Cross. Since 1996, ECHO has given over €230 million to the ICRC and over €375 million to the International Federation and the national Red Cross societies for humanitarian operations.