30/6/2006
Eradicating hunger: Commission steps up its efforts in food aid

The European Commission has adopted its 2006 Annual Work Programme for grants in the area of food aid and food security with a global budget of € 197 million. The EC approach is focused on the integration of food security policy within the fight against poverty, hence recognizing hunger as the basic dimension of poverty. Activities foreseen in the Annual Work Programme aim at contributing to the achievement of the first Millennium Development Goal: eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.

The European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, said : “The Commission stands ready to face food crisis situation but food aid can not and must not become the easy answer, a short term reaction which covers the shortcomings of governments and donors in facing structural problems. “

The European Commission is committed to give priority to food security operations instead of food aid. Reinforcing rapid alert systems, developing national strategic stocks to prevent dramatic imbalances of local markets in case of severe drought or plagues or improving children’s nutrition through schools are key actions of Commission’s sponsored programs.

The present Annual Work Programme covers commitment appropriations available in 2006 for grants to International Organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations. The grants will be awarded to:

- Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs): € 68.8 million for food security and food aid projects to be awarded by Delegations after selection through call for proposals.

- United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA): € 15 million for a food aid and cash programme in favour of Palestinian Refugees in West Bank and Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.

- The World Food Programme (WFP): € 105 million for purchase and distribution of food aid to different countries mainly in Africa.

- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) € 8 million for purchase and distribution of food aid mainly in Sudan where a very high number of Internally Displaced People are suffering hunger.

- United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO): € 300.000 for the Community's Annual Contribution. This contribution enables the Community to play an active role in the Organisation's meeting, and to be regularly informed of its activities.
More information:

http://ec.europa.eu/comm/europeaid/projects/foodsec/index_en.htm