16/2/2007
Commission Plans New Humanitarian Funding of over €10 M for Victims of Iraq Crisis

The European Commission is in process of finalising two humanitarian announcements worth  €10.2 million to help meet the growing needs generated by the humanitarian crisis in Iraq. Up to two million Iraqis have crossed into neighbouring countries while almost as many have been displaced internally.

For refugees who have fled to countries such as Syria, Jordan and Lebanon, the Commission will propose an initial funding package of €6.2 million. Focusing on the most vulnerable groups, the aid would consist of basic healthcare and education as well as targeted distributions of food and essential household items. Protection activities are also envisaged, in particular, support for the UNHCR refugee registration system.

 This is particularly important to identify the most vulnerable groups and assess their specific needs. An initial funding package of around €4 million is also being drawn up for people suffering inside Iraq, based on a careful assessment of priority needs and considering the highly volatile security environment.

The emergency funds are channelled through the Commission's Humanitarian Aid department, ECHO, under the responsibility of Commissioner Louis Michel. Explaining the plans, Louis Michel spoke of a "tragic downward spiral of violence that is driving ever-larger numbers of Iraqis from their homes and livelihoods. The security quagmire in Iraq is not only a military and political challenge. It is also causing a humanitarian crisis with massive displacement of people".

EU humanitarian aid is provided impartially and without discrimination, with a focus on those most at risk. "In Iraq itself, the insecurity and extreme violence make it very difficult to deliver relief. But simple humanity demands that we must strive to find ways of surmounting this problem. I am also determined that European taxpayers' money will be used effectively and will be properly managed by humanitarian professionals that have the implementing capacity and can make a difference for the better", Commissioner Michel added.