title: Proposition de décision du Conseil définissant la position que la Communauté doit adopter au sein du conseil d'association institué par l'accord européen conclu le 16 décembre 1991 entre les Communautés européennes et leurs États membres, d'une part, et la république de Hongrie, d'autre part, au sujet de la prorogation pour une nouvelle période de cinq ans, conformément aux dispositions de l'article 62 paragraphe 4 point a) de l'accord européen

eurovoc_concepts:
Hungary
accession to the European Union
association agreement (EU)
competition policy
free-trade area

text: COMMISSION DES COMMUNAUTES EUROPEENNES Bruxelles, le 03. 09. 1997 COM<97) 292 final 97/0163 (ACC) Proposition de décision du Conseil définissant la position que la Communauté doit adopter au sein du conseil d'association institué par l'accord européen conclu le 16 décembre 1991 entre les Communautés européennes et leurs Etats membres; d'une part, et la république de Hongrie, d'autre part, au sujet de la prorogation pour une nouvelle période de cinq ans, conformément aux dispositions de l'article 62 paragraphe 4 point a) de l'accord européen (présentée par la Commission) EXPOSE DES MOTIFS 1. L'article 62 paragraphe 4 point a) de l'accord européen conclu avec la Hongrie prévoit que, aux fins de l'application de certaines dispositions en matière d'aide publique, pendant les cinq premières années suivant l'entrée en vigueur dudit accord, toute aide publique octroyée par la Hongrie est évaluée en tenant compte du fait que ce pays est considéré comme une zone identique aux zones de la Communauté visées à l'article 92 paragraphe 3 point a) du traité instituant la Communauté économique européenne. 2. La période susmentionnée de cinq ans est venue à expiration le 31 décembre 1996. 3. Conformément à la dernière phrase de l'article 62 paragraphe 4 point a) de l'accord européen, le conseil d'association décide, en tenant compte de la situation économique de la Hongrie, si cette période doit être prorogée pour une nouvelle durée de cinq ans. 4. Le 27 novembre 1996, la Hongrie a demandé la prorogation de la disposition précitée. 5. Le critère principal pour l'éligibilité d'une zone à une aide régionale au titre de l'article 92 paragraphe 3 point a) du traité CEE est que le PIB par habitant doit être inférieur à 75% du PIB moyen de l'UE-15, mesuré en parités de pouvoir d'achat (PPA)l. 6. Les services compétents de la Commission ont examiné les demandes sur la base des chiffres et des informations disponibles pour la Hongrie. Les données font apparaître que le PIB par habitant de la Hongrie, mesuré en parités de pouvoir d'achat (PPA), représente 37% de la moyenne communautaire en 1995. Les données communiquées par l'Office statistique hongrois au niveau régional confirment que l'ensemble du pays se situe au- dessous du plafond de 75% et que même Budapest, qui enregistre le PIB par habitant le plus élevé du pays, n'atteint que 66% de la moyenne communautaire. La Hongrie est donc loin du plafond susmentionné de 75%. Par ailleurs, son PIB par habitant est nettement inférieur à celui de certains Etats membres dont les territoires sont considérés comme des zones éligibles au titre de l'article 92 paragraphe 3 point a)2. 7. Compte tenu de ce qui précède, la Commission estime que les chiffres disponibles justifient l'octroi d'une prorogation à la Hongrie. Toutefois, la Commission doit se voir fournir les données nécessaires pour pouvoir apprécier si, à l'avenir, la Hongrie n'excédera pas le plafond de 75% du PIB moyen de la Communauté fixé pour pouvoir bénéficier des dispositions de l'article 92 paragraphe 3 point a) du traité CEE. 1 JO n° C 212, du 12. 8. 1988, p. 2 et n° C 163, du 4. 7. 1990, p. 6. 2 Dans le cas de la Grèce, le PIB par tête mesuré en PPA est de l'ordre de 64% de la moyenne communautaire, tandis que celui du Portugal se situe autour de 70% et celui de l'Irlande autour de 85% (chiffres de 1994). 8. La présente prorogation n'est pas applicable aux produits visés par le protocole n° 2 de l'accord européen, qui feront l'objet d'un examen et d'une procédure séparés. 9. La Commission invite par conséquent le Conseil à adopter la proposition ci-jointe de décision du Conseil. Proposition de décision du Conseil définissant ia position que la Communauté doit adopter au sein du conseil d'association institué par l'accord européen conclu le 16 décembre 1991 entre les Communautés européennes et leurs Etats membres, d'une part, et la république de Hongrie, d'autre part, au sujet de la prorogation pour une nouvelle période de cinq ans, conformément aux dispositions de l'article 62 paragraphe 4 point a) de l'accord européen Le Conseil de l'Union européenne, vu le traité instituant la Communauté européenne, et notamment son article 113 en liaison avec son article 228 paragraphe 2, première phrase, vu la proposition de la Commission des Communautés européennes, considérant que la Communauté européenne et ses Etats membres ont conclu l'accord européen avec la république de Hongrie le 13 décembre 1993; considérant que l'article 62 paragraphe 4 point a) de l'accord européen dispose que le conseil d'association, en tenant compte de la situation économique de la Hongrie, décide si la période au cours de laquelle toute aide publique octroyée par la Hongrie est évaluée en tenant compte du fait que ce pays est considéré comme une zone identique aux zones de la Communauté visées à l'article 92 paragraphe 3 point a) du traité instituant la Communauté économique européenne doit être prorogée pour une nouvelle période de cinq ans, DECIDE: La position que la Communauté doit adopter au sein du conseil d'association institué par l'accord européen conclu le 16 décembre 1991 entre les Communautés européennes et leurs Etats membres, d'une part, et la république de Hongrie, d'autre part, au sujet de la prorogation pour une nouvelle période de cinq ans, conformément aux dispositions de l'article 62 paragraphe 4 point a), se fonde sur le projet de décision du conseil d'association annexé à la présente décision. Fait à Bruxelles, le Par le Conseil Association entre l'Union européenne et la république de Hongrie Conseil d'association Projet de décision n°. /. du conseil d'association entre les Communautés européennes et leurs Etats membres, d'une part, et la république de Hongrie, d'autre part, du. /. , portant adoption de la prorogation, pour une durée de cinq ans, de la période au cours de laquelle toute aide publique octroyée par la Hongrie est évaluée en tenant compte du fait que ce pays est considéré comme une zone identique aux zones de la Communauté visées à l'article 92 paragraphe 3 point a) du traité instituant la Communauté économique européenne Le conseil d'association, vu l'accord européen établissant une association entre les Communautés européennes et leurs Etats membres, d'une part, et la république de Hongrie, d'autre part, et notamment son article 62 paragraphe 4 point a), considérant que l'article 62 paragraphe 4 point a) de l'accord européen dispose que le conseil d'association, en tenant compte de la situation économique de la Hongrie, décide si la période au cours de laquelle toute aide publique octroyée par la Hongrie est évaluée en tenant compte du fait que ce pays est considéré comme une zone identique aux zones de la Communauté visées à l'article 92 paragraphe 3 point a) du traité instituant la Communauté économique européenne doit être prorogée pour une nouvelle période de cinq ans, DECIDE: Article premier La période au cours de laquelle toute aide publique octroyée par la Hongrie est évaluée en tenant compte du fait que ce pays est considéré comme une zone identique aux zones de la Communauté visées à l'article 92 paragraphe 3 point a) du traité instituant la Communauté économique européenne est prorogée pour une nouvelle période de cinq ans. Arli£le_2 Dans les deux ans suivant la date d'entrée en vigueur de la période de prorogation de cinq ans et, ensuite, chaque année jusqu'à l'expiration de ladite période, la Hongrie communique à la Commission les données nécessaires pour apprécier, selon la méthode utilisée par la Commission, si la Hongrie continue à remplir les conditions pour être considérée comme une zone identique aux zones de la Communauté visées à l'article 92 paragraphe 3 point a) du traité instituant la Communauté économique européenne. Fait à Bruxelles, le Les secrétariats Par le conseil d'association Le président vf ISSN 0254-1491 COM(97) 292 final DOCUMENTS FR 11 08 01 02 N° de catalogue : CB-CO-97-283-FR-C ISBN 92-78-21243-1 Office des publications officielles des Communautés européennes L-2985 Luxembourg C


title: Report from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament - Annual Report 1996 on Humanitarian Aid

eurovoc_concepts:
activity report
cooperation policy
humanitarian aid
statistics

text: COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES *** * * * * * * *** Brussels, 03. 09. 1997 COM(97)437 final Report from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament Annual Report 1996 on Humanitarian Aid Table of contents Executive summary 1. 2. 3. Institutional framework 1. 1. 1. 2. Council regulation and coordination with Member States Financial basis Means of Action 2. 1. Framework Partnership Agreement 2. 2. Databases and management systems Statistical overview Humanitarian Operations 3. 1. I 3. 2. Operations overview - General issues 3. 3. 3. 4. African, Caribbean and Pacific countries Former Yugoslavia 3. 4. 1. Great Lakes Region 3. 4. 2. ECHO-Flight 3. 4. 3. Angola 3. 4. 4. Somalia 3. 4. 5. Sudan and northern Uganda 3. 4. 6. Liberia 3. 4. 7. Haiti 3. 4. 8. Sierra Leone 3. 4. 9. Mali Russia and the CIS 3. 5. 1. Russian Federation 3. 5. 2. Tajikistan 3. 5. 3. Kyrgyztan 3. 5. 4. Southern Caucasus 3. 5. 3. 6. Asia 3. 7. North Africa and the Middle East 3. 8. Latin America 4. ~ Horizontal activities 4. 1. 4. 2. Information activities Cooperation and coordination 4. 2. 1. Inter-service coordination 4. 2. 2. European Parliament 4. 2. 3. NGOs 4. 2. 4. United Nations 4. 2. 5. The United States 4. 2. 6. Other third countries Evaluation 4. 3. 4. 4. Disaster-preparedness 5. Prospects for 1997 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 12 13 15 15 16 16 17 17 17 18 18 19 19 19 19 20 20 21 22 22 23 23 23 24 24 25 26 27 27 28 28 29 Statistical Annexes Annex S1 Overview of Financial Decisions for EC Humanitarian Aid by Source of Finance 1992-96 Annex S2 Summary of Financial Decisions by Countries Benefitting from Humanitarian Aid 1994-95-96 ' Annex S3 Financial Decisions for Humanitarian Aid by Region in 1995 and 1996 Annex S4 EC contracts for Humanitarian Assistance 1992-93-94-95-96 Annex S5 European Commission (ECHO) Financial Decisions in favour oft he affected Burundi/Rwanda population since the 21st October 1993 until December 1996 Annex S6 Breakdown of Community Aid to the Former Yugoslavia, 1991-1996 by Republic; by Relief Items, 1996 Figures in the text Figure 1 Humanitarian Aid Financial Decisions by Source of Finance 1994-1995-1996 (page 9) Figure 2 Financial Decisions for Humanit_arian Aid by Region 1995 and 1996 (page 10) Figure 3 Total Humanitarian Assistance 1992 - 1993 - 1994 - 1995 - 1996 (page 11) Executive Summary In 1996 the humanitarian assistance provided by the Commission amounted to ECU 656 million, which represented a slight decrease as compared to ECU 692 million in the previous year, and brought the· grand total of Commission humanitarian aid in the last five years to ECU 3084 million. The main humanitarian theaters in 1996 continued to be former Yugoslavia and the Great Lakes region. Overall, humanitarian was provided in some 60 countries, notably in Afghanistan, Angola, Sudan, Somalia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, the Russian federation (Chechnya), Georgia, Armenia, Azerbadjan, Tadjikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Iraq and Haiti. In 1996, the fourth year of ECHO's activities, a Council regulation governing humanitarian aid entered into force and a management committee of Member States was set up. The activity of the committee was intense and by' the end of the year it had met five times, giving favorable opinions on draft proposals for humanitarian aid and discussing various policy issues. Violent conflicts and their consequences continued to be the main cause of most humanitarian crises during 1996. As a result of these crises, there was an unprecedented number of refugees and internally displaced persons worldwide. They often became entirely dependent on outside help for their survival. While attending to the immediate life-saving needs of the victims of such crises, the humanitarian community as a whole saw clearly that political solutions to the underlying problems were urgently needed. The Commission continued to attach great· importance to coordinating its humanitarian activities with the longer term work undertaken in rehabilitation and development. In terms of strengthening these linkages between shqrt ~nd long term efforts, the Commission in 1996 initiated the process of setting up a number of interservice task forces for countries and regions moving out of emergency conditions into a situation characterized by rehabilitation and longer term development. ECHO stepped up its internal activities in evaluation over the year, using its own working methods and the Operational Manual published in 1995, focusing primarly on its progra£¥S but also on other specific operations. Information activities and transparency continued to be high priority in 1996, with publications, information and facilities for press and broadcasting media as well as joint activities with Member States, NGOs and international organizations. 4 I. Institutional framework 1. 1. Council regulation and coordination with Member States The Council of Ministers adopted on June 20, 1996 the (EC) Council regulation concerning humanitarian aid 1 , which entered into force on July 5, 1996. The Council regulation defines the scope of humanitarian aid action, coordination arrangements and the. ways in which the Community, Member States, international organizations and non governmental organizations can cqoperate. Hence, it addresses questions relating to the type of disaster situations which qualify for humanitarian aid from the Community, what type of assistance can be financed as well as how humanitarian relief links up with~· disaster preparedness, rehabilitation and reconstruction. It also deals with relations with implementing partners and with cooperation with EU Member States, and includes provisions for regular eyaluations of humanitarian aid. The entry into force of the EC Council Regulation has brought significant changes in the decision-making process in setting up a committee, made up of representatives of Member States and chaired by the Commission, which assists the latter in the exercise of its implementing powers. The humanitarian aid committee is entitled to deliver an opinion on certain Commission proposals and notably on humanitarian aid global plans and non-urgent projects for amounts exceeding ECU 2 million. The activity of the committee has been very intense and by the year end it had met five times since the entry into force of the Regulation. All Commission draft proposals referred to the committee received a favorable opinion. The committee has also examined various more horizontal issues in the field of thus helping to develop further Commissjon dialogue with Member humanitarian aid, States and seeking improved coordination in continuity with the pattern of informal quarterly meetings which preceded the Regulation. The issues treated ranged from NGO eligibility criteria, systems for improving coordination and exchange of information, to evaluation. 1. 2 Financial basis The great majority of the Commissions's operations through ECHO are financed from the General Budget of the EU. To a small extent, and in 1996 much less than in previous years, operations to be carried out in ACP countries have also been financed under the financial protocol to the Lome Convention ( ECU 3 million). In the last six years humanitarian operations carried out by the Commission on behalf of the Union have grown sevenfold, making the Commission the biggest single public source of humanitarian aid. From ECU 114 million in 1991, the figure reached ECU 692 million in 1995, and in 1996 stood at around ECU 656 million. For 1997, initial 1Official Journal of the European Communities L 163 of July 2, 1996 (page 1) 5 appropriations under the humanitarian aid chapter of the EU budget (B7-21) were ECU 315. 2 million. A reserve ~d other funds may be made available during the year depending on developments to which the Commission may be called upon to respond. The financial position of EC humanitarian aid is nonetheless less than satisfactory in some ways. The main problem is the lengthy procedure required to release appropriations from the reserve part of the EU budget, coupled with the requirement first to have disbursed 80% of the funds initially attributed. These administrative requirements have sometimes proved to be at variance with crisis needs. 2. Means of Action 2. 1 Framework Partnership Agreement Following the adoption of the EC Council Regulation concerning humanitarian aid, discussions for a revision of the Framework Partnership Agreement were suspended during the second half of. 1995. They were resumed in April when ECHO met with the ·representatives of its Partners. Since then, work on a revised proposal has continued at technical level within a working group in ECHO taking account of preliminary discussions and accumulated experience. Modifications envisaged concern the General Conditions, the model of the operations contracts as well as its appendices. With this exercise ECHO seeks to conciliate Partners' wishes for more flexibility with the continued need to ensure proper control of the use of Community funds. The revision intended will therefore be based on the following guidelines or principles, the need to: (a) balance flexibility against adequacy of control; (b) ensure that controls produce real improvements. The Commission has also informed the committee as to changes envisaged in the Framework Partnership Agreement such as the need for better qualitative operational information in order to monitor operations, as well as the format and content of reports. 2. 2 Databases and management systems Humanitarian assistance embraces a wide variety of scenarios, conditions, actors and requirements, spread across the entire surface of the planet. Proper communication is a must -if all the various factors are to be mobilised in a coordinated way to help the massive victim population and make best use of the available resources. Modem electronic databases and informatics-based communication and management systems have an increasingly key role to play. Since mid-1996, ECHO's database related to financial management, the Humanitarian Office Programme Environment (HOPE)· is operational, the contract management module. New modules are planned for 1997, for the humanitarian aid actions evaluation, for the financial audits analysis and reporting, and for the operational including 6 actions follow-up. The Members States report on humanitarian aid, the 14 points fax-, is scheduled for introduction into the HOPE database. New pages have been added on the Commision's World Wide Web server (EUROPA) with topics such as _statistical information exported from the HOPE database. The address of the home page is: http://www. cec. lulenlcommlecho/echo. html Since January 1996, the X400 Commission e-mail facility (Route 400) has opened up advanced scope for electronic communication within and between services, between institutions of the Union and above all with the outside world: ECHO's partners and theaters of operations posted on Internet. The address of ECHO's officials is: name. sumame@echo. cec. be 3 Humanitarian Operations 3. 1 Statistical overview The year 1996 can be regarded as a period of consolidation in the process of producing comprehensive and sound statistics. Such statistics are a vital management tool, and also serve important information, coordination and transparency needs. ECHO Statistics bulletins are produced on a quarterly basis and refugees statistics from the PISG database are available on a semester basis. A number of the statistical reports ECHO produces are mmexed to the present report (Statistical Appendices S 1 to S7). Operations in 1996 were on a comparable scale to those in 1995, the decisions adopted reached a total of ECU 656 million. While statistics by country are available for the entire sum committed during the year , it should be noted that contracting inevitably continues, in some cases into the following year. Statistics by partners are based on amounts contracted by the end of the year and therefore come to a lower figure. \ A list of funding decisions by country is provided in Appendix S2 and S3 and by partner in Appendix S4. These figures are summarized in figures 2 and 3 overleaf. In order to avoid repetitiveness, the amounts are not always mentioned in the country sections which follow. 7-8 (cid:127) 800. 00 700. 00 600. 00 U) 500. 00 I 400. 00f I / 300. 00 200. 00 100. 00 0. 00 MECU Humanitarian Aid Financial Decisions by Source of F. inance 1994-1995-1996 FIGURE 1. ~~I;;. ~~~~;;~;'. ; 111111111111111. - Iii /f /- : !. •··- :-:-:-·-:. :::-·::·. : : : : : : : : : : · · ' · : : : : - ' :::r:H• :::::,:::•:::::::::- Bl 1994 I(cid:127) 1995 (cid:143) 1996 EDF BUDGET TOTAL 1. -----F-I_N_A-NC_I_A_L_D_E_C_IS_I_O_N_S_F_O_R_H_UM-A-NI_T_A-RI_A_N_A_I_D_B_Y_R_E_G_IO_N _____ _ FIGURE 2 • IRAQ 4% ASIA 5% NORlli AFRICA 2% LATIN AMERICA 4% GLOBAL 1% EX-YUGOSLAVIA 33% ASIA 8% EASiERN EUROPE 0% C. I. S NORlli AFRICA/MIDDLE EAST 3% GLOBAL 2% ACP 43% EX-YUGOSLAVIA 29% IRAQ 4% 10 Total Humanitarian Assistance D 1992 01993 ~ 1994 ~ 1995 (cid:127) 1996 FIGURE 3 ECNGO'S UNITED NATIONS 350,000,00 300,000,00 250,000,00 ~ ::. CEC DIRECT MEMBER STATES GOVNTS OTHER GOVNTS OTHERNGO'S LOCALNGO'S 3. 2 Operations overview - General issues In the following section a general account is given of humanitarian assistance provided in different parts of the world, with brief accounts of the political situation in the countries and regions of main concern from a humanitarian point of view. From these country-by country reports, some issues stand dut as being of general relevance to humanitarian assistance and those involved in it throughout the world today. One characteristic of the changing international environment where humanitarian assistance is provided is the increase in the number of conflicts, many of which are internal crises with international repercussions. At the origin of these crises we often find political, economic and ethnic tensions. The character of conflicts themselves has also changed in that they increasingly affect, or even target, the civiiian population. The consequences have been all too obvious; unprecedented numbers of refugees and inter!-1-ally displaced persons in the world in need of massive humanitarian assistance. The provision of humanitarian assistance in such highly politically charged circumstances raises a number of basic and difficult questions as to the neutrality and impartiality of aid. Humanit;uian supplies such as food and medicines are highly valuable resources for those in conflict. This is evident from the examples of looting of stocks e g in Zaire and Liberia, and in the many examples of attacks on humanitarian aid staff. Warring sides or governments denying access to victims is another feature of problems in providing urgently needed aid. As a consequence of these security problems, the military is increasingly called in for assistance, both in ensuring the safe arrival of supplies and staff, as well as for direct peacekeeping tasks. Among the dilemmas facing the humanitarian community in such politically difficult circumstances are: - how do humanitarian organisations address human rights abuses when risking expulsion and consequent withdrawal of aid? · - how do humanitarian organisations address the problems related to providing aid in war conditions, avoiding manipulation and looting by warring factions? - how do humanitarian organisations cooperate with military authorities and how does such cooperation affect neutrality and impartiality of aid? - how do humanitarian organisations protect aid workers? Many·of these questions, which are raised daily in humanitarian operations, are not likely to receive a clearcut answer from the humanitarian community as a whole. It is however essential that the debate continues among donors, NGOs and the UN, and that lessons are learned continuously from practical experiences in the field. The importance of coordination between donors and executing agencies has been increasingly emphasized as a consequence of the large number of organisations involved in humanitarian aid and the complexity of the situations they face. Coordination should ideally encomp~ss several dimensions of international assistance, including both institutional coordination should aim at institutional and substantial aspects. Inter- 11 creating an effective combination of measures, based on thorough assessments of-needs and taking the respective roles and competences of each institution into account. An example of how such close coordination can be successful in avoiding manipulation of humanitarian aid by warring factions is shown in the experience of field-level coordination in Liberia. · Another crucial issue brought out from the experiences of humanitarian operations is the need for close targetting of aid to those in real need. This is essential, not only in the interests of using funds in the most effective fashion, but also in order to maintain public and political support fpr providing humanitarian aid and for the accountability of institutions involved in this work. The gender aspect of humanitarian aid was highlighted in 1996, not least due to events in Afghanistan, where Taliban fundamentalists who took control of Kabul issued decrees prohibiting women from working. This had serious negative effects, not only on thousands of households where women were the "breadwinners" who could riot earn their own living but also on public institutions and humanitarian activities, such as hospitals where women previously formed a very significant part of the work force. The majority of organisations present in the region however continued to supply aid despite daily · infringements of human rights, trying to cover urgent humanitarian needs in terms of food, medical and sanitary assistance to ·those most vulnerable. These events as well as others have sparked a debate in the EU and gender issues have been discussed in both the Council and in seminars gathering NGOs, UN organisations and gender experts during the year. There was an emphasis on the need to mainstream gender aspects into all policies and interventions dealing with crisis prevention, emergency response and post emergency rehabilitation, including situations of armed conflict. Another important feature of the work initiated in 1996 is in Linking Relief, Rehabilitation and Development which aims at strengthening the coordination of assistance undertaken in the sphere of humanitarian relief with longer term rehabilitation and development aid. To this end a number of task forces at headquarters and field level are being set up to prepare strategies and funding, as well as coordination with other parties, in order to improve links between the different phases of assistance to countries and regions moving out of emergency conditions. 3. 3 Former Yugoslavia In 1 ~i96, the European Commission allocated ECU 187 million to humanitarian aid for the victims of the conflict in former Yugoslavia. The Dayton/ Paris Peace Agreements, signed in December 1995, ended more than four years of violent conflict in former Yugoslavia. While the threat of resuming hostilities has been successfully subdued during all of 1996, major civilian aspects of the peace accord remain unaccomplished. The political unity of Bosnia and Herzegovina has yet to be established. Freedom of movement has not yet been achieved and the protection of human rights remains weak. Local authorities in many parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina still strongly oppose the return of minority populations and follow a policy of forcible resettlement, seeing ethnic 13 separation as one of the main achievements of the conflict. The harassment and expulsion of remaining minorities is still on-going. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in its first repatriation plan forecast the· return of 870,000 displaced persons and refugees in Bosnia and Herzegovina during 1996. This plan has proven too optimistic. Current- estimates range from 220,000 to 240,000 returns for 1996, leaving more than 700,000 refugees from Bosnia and Herzegovina outside former Yugoslavia and 1. 5 million displaced persons and ·refugees in the region. The advent of peace has not yet led to a significant improvement in the humanitarian situation in the areas formerly affected by conflict. Much of the population is still living under exceptional and difficult circumstances in collective accommodation or make-shift housing. Many remain without employment and income, and thus dependent on humanitarian -aid. At present, local government lacks the necessary resources and management capacity to assume responsibility for these populations. ECHO has continued to provide essential humanitarian aid to war-affected and displaced persons throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina. Improved access following the cessation of hostilities has led to the identification of needs previously uncovered, in particular in Republika Srpska where authorities refused access to international assistance until the end of 1995. Generally, increased and more selective targeting has allowed humanitarian assistance to reach the most vulnerable beneficiaries, often in areas not accessible during the conflict. Increasing emphasis has been put on emergency rehabilitation of basic and social infrastructure, in particular in areas of possible return of displaced persons and refugees, while projects involving income generation and psy~ho-social assistance have been reduced in the wake of economic and social normalisation. To ensure a smooth transition between emergency relief and reconstruction, ECHO has during 1996 intensified cooperation with other Commission services to ensure the complementarity and coherence of implemented programmes. The inter-service coordination has been particularly intensive in the return of refugees, where initiatives emanating from Member States have been accommodated within the framework of on going programmes. The situation in Croatia in 1996 has been characterised by the consolidation of the economy and the search for political stability in formerly Serb-held areas of Krajina and West~rn Slavonia after the Croatian offensive in August 1995. The return of displaced persons and refugees to these regions began in 1996, and according to official statistics, some 40,000 have returned to their places of origin so far. ECHO has maintained its Direct Food Aid programme in Croatia during 1996, supplying 380,000 refugees and displaced persons with basic food aid. A special effort was made to assist the Bosnian refugees in the Kuplensko camp until its closure in July, as well as the Serb population in Krajina that remained after the Croatian offensive in August 1995. 14 Despite the lifting of economic sanctions, the situation in the Federal Republic- of Yugoslavia (Serbia-Montenegro - FRY) hardly improved during 1996. The number of refugees from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina remains considerable, and so far only a few have returned to their countries of origin. A census carried out in July jointly by UNHCR and the Serb authorities· showed that the number of refugees in the Federal Republic was 566,000. Of these, only 10% expressed a willingness to return to their region of origin. During 1996, ECHO supplied 400,000 refugees in need in the Federal Republic with basic assistance, principally through the Direct Food Aid programme, and maintained a significant presence in Kosovo, where medical and psycho-social assistance has benefitted the most vulnerable. As foreseen, ECHO closed its office in Skopje, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in September 1996, while ECHO-funded operations continued until the end of the year. Continued European Community assistance will be ensured by ·the PHARE programme implemented by. DG IA. 3. 4 African, Caribbean arid Pacific countries. 3. 4. 1 Great Lakes Region For over two years now, 1. 7 million Rwandan and Burundian refugees have been living in the Great Lakes Region (mainly in Zaire and Tanzania), with fresh upheaval on the humanitarian aid front occurring towards the e~d of the year. In mid-November, the whole of Kivu region saw clashes between a movement of armed rebels made up mostly of Banyamulenge (Zaireans of Tutsi origin) and soldiers of the former FAR (Rwandan Armed Front), lnterhamwe and Zairean soldiers. Refugee camps were brutally attacked and the towns of Goma, Bukavu and Uvira swiftly taken by the rebels. Humanitarian agencies were forced to withdraw in haste, after being looted, mainly by routed Zairean soldiers on the rampage. In the panic, the majority of refugees were forced into western Zaire (Walikale, Kisangani, Shabunda and Fizi) along with hundreds of thousands of Zairean locals. Since then, the disorder has made it almost impossible to get aid to the refugees scattered throughout Kivu or to the Zairean locals. For them, the situation is turning into a humanitarian nightmare. Nevertheless, in December 600 000 Rwandan refugees in Goma (Zaire) and a further 500 000 in Tanzania were able to return to Rwanda in relative normality. They are now gradually being settled back home. In Burundi, the political and military situation worsened further, leading to a weekly exodus of 1 500 to 2 000 Burundians to Tanzania, where there are still 200 000 refugees in the camps. 15 Over the year, ECHO continued to support the humanitarian aid programmes being carried out by NGOs and international organizations, channelling funds through the UNHCR for refugees in the camps and supporting NGO efforts for the neediest in Burundi and Rwanda. Following both the events of November and the sudden return of refugees· to Rwanda, the Commission moved swiftly in December to grant an extra ECU 168 million, bringing total Commission assistance to the Great Lakes Region since October 1993 to ECU 560 million. Security and access permitting, 1997 should see ECHO continue its humanitarian assistance for refugees and locally displaced nationals in Zaire. In Rwanda, special support has been provided for the emergency repair of housing, health and medical facilities and for lone children and prisoners. The Commission's priority now is to shift from humanitarian aid to development programmes. In Burundi, emergency assistance will continue to provide medicines, food and drinking water. ECHO also plans to keep up its funding for Burundian refugees in Tanzania. 3. 4. 2 ECHO-Flight ECHO-Flight, set up in 1994, continued to operate in the Hom of Africa. Seven aircraft, based in Nairobi, Djibouti, Mandera and Lokichoggio are currently being used for humanitarian operations in Somalia, Kenya and southern Sudan. Between May 1994 and the end of 1996, ECHO-Flight transported over 75 000 people and over 30 000 tones of supplies and worked UP, more than 27 000 flying hours. ECU 12 million was granted over the year to keep the service operational. The sum included fundingfor a Belgian Air Force Hercules C-130, based in Nairobi. 3. 4. 3 Angola Implementation of the Lusaka accords, signed in November 1994, is well behind schedule. Humanitarian aid programmes, targeted primarily at those regions deprived of appropriate assistance and now under UNIT A control, are still proving difficult to carry out because the mines and bandits make some areas unsafe. In addition, the free movement of people and goods stipulated in the Lusaka Protocol remains largely w1realized. The Commission granted a total of ECU 14 million in humanitarian aid to the country over the year, most of it going on health care, the distribution of basic necessities, logistics and mine~clearance. The aim was twofold: to bring relief by reducing death and sickness rates rapidly and to provide an international presence, so encouraging the peace process, national unity and a return to confidence. ECHO and DG VIII conducted an overall assessment of health care in the country in order to frame Community support to the sector. They agreed that DG VIII would concentrate its rehabilitation activities, _ including support for the health sector, in the provinces of Benguela, Bie, Huambo, Huila and Luanda while ECHO would step up its support for the other provinces. 16 3. 4. 4 Somalia The political situation in southern Somalia continued to be marked by squabbling between the leaders of the different clans and factions for control of the whole country. In the north west, the self-proclaimed -independent- Somalian state did enjoy a degree of economic recovery despite the ongoing political uncertainty. ECHO gave a total of ECU 5 million in humanitarian aid over the year, with two main aims: to meet emergency needs nationally ( cholera, therapeutic nutrition) and to cover the essential needs of the neediest in those sectors not yet deemed sufficiently strong to benefit from DG VIII's rehabilitation projects. 3. 4. 5 Sudan and northern Uganda Prospects of a settlement to the conflict in southern Sudan looked shakier than ever in 1996 despite the fact that some small factions signed a "political charter" with the government to join forces against the Sudan People's Liberation Arn1y (SPLA). Other emergency needs, not directly born of the fighting, emerged over the year, with two outbreaks of cholera and a flood in Pochalla region. ECHO aid to the region totaled over ECU 13 million. The Office's operational areas included northern Uganda, regions under the control of the Sudanese government and those controlled by factions in the south. However, ECHO also started to withdraw its support to the settlement programme for Sudanese refugees in northern Uganda, which was being severely undermined by the disorder. Overall, security and logistical problems coupled with a landing ban by the Sudanese government at certain airstrips meant humanitarian aid operations were severely curtailed. Where necessary, ECHO supported flexible key operations in the most difficult sectors. This was a prerequisite for more structured projects. The Office also focused on other areas, providing equipment and fishing tackle to veterinary and food security programmes. 3. 4. 6 Liberia Under pressure from the international community, the peace process resumed, with the signing of Abuja II in August. Since then, the warring factions have been bound by a fragile peace. Demobilization got under way on 22 November, without too many problems so far. On the humanitarian front, the main event was the wholesale looting of aid and aid agencies when Monrovia was sacked in April. In reaction to the misappropriation of aid by the warring groups, agencies and donors jointed forces to adopt a "minimalist approach" to protect staff and equipment and prevent aid from being diverted to fuel the war. The approach depended on close coordination between agencies and donors, pinpoint targeting and monitoring of the aid and preventive action, enabling all needs to be met from funds pared down to the absolute minimum necessary. 17 Following the overall plan approved at the end of 1995, ECHO adopted only one financing decision - for ECU 1. 9 million - to meet needs emerging from areas previously cut off. A number of coordination meetings with donors and agencies were held. The close coordination between ECHO and DG VIII was maintained in Brussels and in Liberia and, through a clear division of responsibilities, gave the operations financed by both maximum impact. 3. 4. 7 Haiti Haiti remains the poorest country in the northern hemisphere, with per capita income of only USD 270. The state is still dependent on international aid and the programme of privatization and structural adjustment reforms would be impossible without donor help and operational aid from private organizations. After the emergency which followed the end of the embargo, ECHO is now faced with a widespread crisis: 40% of the population has no access to primary health care while malnutrition and diarrhea remain the main causes of child mortality. This year, an ECU 10 million overall plan was approved, mainly for spending on health. The plan covers the whole country but focuses more especially on three departments not specifically covered by the other donors involved (Member States, World Bank, USAID and the IDB). In all, twenty European and local partners (NGOs, the Red Cross and UN agencies) are involved in implementing the plan, which is being coordinated by the ECHO office in Haiti. Although there are no reliable health indicators to measure the impact of the aid,· it is ce1iainly helping to bring a degree of political and social stability by providing an immediate response to the most pressing needs of the Haitian people. 3. 4. 8 Sierra Leone 1996 will stand out as a year of hope and peace, with two major political developments. First was the handing over of power by the military junta to a civilian government headed by President Kabbah after free elections in February. Second was the signing of the peace agreement on 30 November in Abidjan, after lengthy peace talks with the rebel movement. The improvement on 1995 was striking: most needs, particularly food and health requirements, can now be met and the delivery of aid on both sides of the front line is also better despite the ongoing danger from armed gangs. However, the return and resettlement of 500 000 - 800 000 internally displaced people and 300 000 refugees from Guinea has not yet begun as people are adopting a 'wait-and-see' attitude to the peace and want their safety guaranteed. Despite the start of many rehabilitation programmes and ECHO's keenness to seG such operations begin, the total of ECU 6. 3 million it gave in humanitarian aid was still needed in view of the continued presence of displaced groups in camps and the opening-up of new areas. ECHO was very active in coordinating local effo1is to improve the targeting of food aid and reducing dependency. The programmes supported proved decisive in improving the humanitarian situation overall. 1~ 3. 4. 9 Mali In March, the peace agreement between the government and the Tuareg rebel movements was officially ratified. After five years of civil war, most of the basic infrastructure in the north had been damaged and the whole fabric of inter-communal relations now needs to be rebuilt. Demobilization has proven difficult to implement. On the humanitarian front, the main event has been the spontaneous return of over 100 000 refugees and displaced people. Delays in organizing and implementing programmes to resettle these people and get rehabilitation under_ way have seriously disrupted the drive to regenerate the socio-economic fabric, jeopardizing stability in the north. Given the need to respond quickly to basic requirements (water, food and health care), ECHO adopted an ECU 1 million humanitarian assistance programme, which started in February. The programme covers the three "sensitive" areas of the north, where people are returning and resettling and is still operational thanks to a further ECU 1. 1 million in funding. The programme forms part of a continuum and is being coordinated with the activities of DG VIII. ECHO plans to maintain its presence until the end of 1997 in order to see through the return and resettlement phase. 3. 5 Russia and the CIS 3. 5. 1 Russian Federation The year 1996 witnessed intense fighting between Russian troops and Chechen rebels until the peace agreement was signed in August and Russian troops staiied withdrawing. Despite the agreement, the situation in the Northern Caucasus remains volatile. Tens of thousands of civilians remain internally displaced in Chechnya or in the neighbouring republics of Ingushetia and Daghestan. Throughout 1996, ECHOs priority remained assisting the victims of the war within Chechnya with urgently-needed humanitarian relief, and reaching out to vulnerable groups among the displaced Chechen in Daghestan and Ingusheti~. The aid granted to this region in 1996 amounted to ECU 8. 8 milEon and focused on support to medical structures, including essential repairs to some key structures, well-targeted food programmes, sanitation and water supplies, aiming at preserving lives during the fighting, facilitating the return of IDPs and promoting reintegration. Security problems continued to affect all partners of ECHO and there were serious difficulties with _access to populations in need. 3. 5. 2 Tajikistan Given the ongoing severe economic crisis with a further decline of all socio-economic indicators, the volatility of the political situation, the instability of the regime and the recent escalation of armed conflict at a level of fighting unprecedented since the civil war in 1992/93, which resulted in some 25,000 to 30,000 newly-displaced people, humanitarian needs increased drastically and are to be found in all sectors. The most vulnerable have seen their already desperate situation deteriorate even further over -the last year. ECHO concentrated its actions, in total ECU 14. 1 million, on supplementary food rations for the most vulnerable people··throughout the country (585,000 beneficiaries) and on providing medical assistance to district and subdistrict hospitals whose activities rely heavily on international medical assistance. In the eastern half of the country, which suffers from the most difficult climatic and geographical constraints, an integrated programme of food, medical and heating assistance was financed for schools and hospitals. In addition, primary health care and epidemiological preparedness programmes were undertaken in the south. ECHO also initiated a pilot development programme in the agricultural sector aimed at improving the food situation of some regions. DG VIII participates actively in this programme. 3. 5. 3 Kyrgyzstan Humanitarian needs in Kyrgyzstan relate mainly to the serious economic decline from the beginning of the 1990s. After five years of deep recession, GDP will at last register positive growth in 1996, although both inflation and the trade deficit are rising. In terms of overall food security, the situation seems to have improved considerably, which would mean that Kyrghyzstan may reach its break-even point in terms of food self-sufficiency at a macro level. Nevertheless, this growth starts from a very low base, and will not - at least in the short term - enhance the living conditions of the most vulnerable. In 1996, ECHO allocated ECU 3. 92 million and continued to provide food assistance to the most food-insecure families and groups as well as medical assistance to selected medical structures and fragile regions where infant mortality rates are still unacceptable. Because of economic trends described above, it has been agreed with DG VIII that ECHO will phase out its general food programmes next year. If such actions are still necessary, DG VIII will give support. 3. 5. 4 Southern Caucasus Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia With. the exception of Abkahzia and Nagorno-Karabagh, the violent hostilities characterizing the situation in the Transcaucasus at the beginning of the 1990s have abated. Economic decline in all three countries has halted. Meanwhile, reforms based on IMF and World Bank recommendations have resulted in deep cuts in the social network, price increases and the collapse of the state-funded health system. Consequently, needs in particular in the food and have increased among certain groups such as the elderly, health sectors. The number of refuger~s and internally displaced persons the region is still well over a million. Some, but not all, people in these groups require assistance. ECHO allocated ECU 23 million to the three countries and continued to emphasize the need for a pro-active strategy based on needs assessments. Programs not specifically targeting the 20 most needy are no longer supported, whereas projects attempting to link relief and development have ~riority. In the food sector, an average of nearly 750,000 people continued to receive some 40% of their daily food needs-from-·NGOs supported by ECHO. Where possible, food assistance aimed to avoid dependency. In several rural areas, families have been provided with seeds and tools and food aid has been phased out. Assistance in the · medical sector is aimed at increasing accessibility for those who cannot afford to pay for medical care. Only carefully selected hospitals and basic health care programs receive support, whi,le nation-wide programs of drug distribution have been phased out. Emergency repairs in most· temporary shelters for internally displaced persons are completed and have : improved living conditions for some 80,000 internally displaced persons in Georgia and Azerbaijan. In Azerbaijan, an additional 30,000 displaced persons were provided with new temporary shelters. 3. 6 Asia As Asia is particularly susceptible to natural disasters, it is very hard to predict what type of humanitarian aid activity will be needed. 1996 was a perfect example of this. For the first time, ECHO went into China, providing medical and food aid on three separate occasions following an earthquake in February, blizzards in March and flooding in July. The Office also financed initial relief operations after an earthquake in Indonesia and two severe typhoons, which hit Bangladesh in April and India in November. Food aid was provided for the victims of the 1995 floods in Laos and the same amount allocated to those affected by similar disasters in North Korea and Vietnam. With the situation in Sri Lanka worsening all the time, ECHO continued to fund aid for victims of the ~ghting. In Afghanistan, ECHO went on with its aid programme for victims of the civil war, which continued to tear the country apart. The aims were to help the neediest meet their most pressing food, health, medical and orthopedic requirements, carry out emergency repair work and clear mines. On top of the effects of the fighting, the civilian population now has to deal with decrees imposed by the new leaders, which, among other things, prevent women from working or earning any income. The situation is particularly tough for widows, 25 000 of whom find themselves in charge of households they cannot feed. ECHO decided to continue supporting the artificial limb programme being undertaken by Handicap International in various parts of Cambodia. In Thailand, ECHO has for the past two years been financing operations to help Karen refugees along the border with Burma. In Iraq, the Commission continued its humanitarian work in Kurdish, central and southern parts of the country. It is still easily the biggest donor in the region. Efforts focused on providing food aid for the neediest such as pregnant women, widows, children and the elderly in the wake of Operation Anfall and local wars and for displaced groups generally. A second round of assistance is providing support for health and education, which are of strategic economic importance. 21 3. 7 North Africa and the Middle East Relations between the Polisario and Morocco have not improved and there is little immediate prospect of Sahrawi -refugees- in Algeria being able to return. ECHO launched a food aid programme for the refugees, who are entirely dependent on international assistance, and a number of emergency repair projects and medical/health schemes at a total cost of ECU 7 million. The situation in Palestine still gives cause , for concern. Relations with Israel are jeopardizing the peace process and exposing the Palestinian population to serious economic and social problems. After the Territories were sealed off by the Israeli army, ECHO approved an emergency food aid package. The Office also continued its assistance for medical and health facilities, which, owing to a lack of any outside support, face major funding shortages and cannot provide even basic care. ECU 9 million was made available for emergency repair work to public and private clinics and hospitals and· for a major vaccination campaign. In southern Lebanon, humanitarian aid was provided to those left most vulnerable by the Israeli operations last April. Lebanon also shelters Palestinian refugees, who live in particularly poor conditions. ECU 4. 4 million was granted to support medical and health facilities in the camps and to provide access to rudimentary care. 3. 8 Latin America ECHO' s activities in Latin America in 1996 have followed similar patterns as those in 199 5. While the main recipient of humanitarian aid continued to be Cuba, uprooted populations in Guatemala, Colombia and Peru were given special attention. In Guatemala, the focus has been on the return of the population that fled Mexico and the large numbers of internally displaced persons uprooted by the civil conflict. ECHO' s activities in Guatemala have contributed to peacebuilding by reintegration of these people. In Peru, ECHO also supported the return of internally displaced people to their home areas. In Colombia, ECHO financed basic assistance to victims of violence, particularly to widow mothers and orphans. In Cuba, humanitarian activities · were implemented by European NGOs which coordinated their operations in providing food aid and health care to the most vulnerable: pregnant women, children and the aged. In Nicaragua, European NGOs carried out a program of prevention of epidemics. Throughout the region, assistance was given to victims of natural disasters. In 1996, two earthquakes hit the region (Ecuador and Peru) and Costa Rica and Honduras suffered floods subsequent to hurricanes. ECHO partners were ready to provide immediate relief to the affected population. 22 4. Horizontal activities 4. 1 Information activities ECHO's communications strategy comprises information and facilities for the press and broadcasting media, publications, audio-visual productions, joint activities with non-governmental and international organisations, and joint activities with Member States. o Media: press releases were issued via the Spokesman's Service. Facility visits were made available for journalists to enable them to visit theaters of ECHO operations. Some visits of this type were arranged ·on the initiative of ECHO partner NGOs and UN agencies. o ECHO TV and radio awards: ECHO launched prizes for imaginative coverage of humanitarian issues, paying tribute to winners at a ceremony in Dublin in December attended by President Mary Robinson. This is intended to be a yearly event. o Audio-visual productions: Co-funding of a number of videos and short feature films made on behalf of NGOs to enable them to present their work to domestic audiences, incorporating the ECHO dimension. Most were broadcast by TV Stations in the Member States. o Publications: ECHO's Annual Review, produ~ed in six languages· including Russ. ian. ECHO News, a quarterly newsletter in English and French, ECHO Fjles, briefings on specific crises, were published on Cambodia and on the war in Chechnya, leaflets and specialised publications were produced in connection with specific. actions, for instance, the Olympic Aid vaccination campaign, and psycho-social assistance in Yugoslavia. The cost of these visibility actions amounted to about ECU 2 million. These actions made a significant contribution to raising public awareness about ECHO's activities worldwide, though there is still far to go in developing that awareness to a level commensurate with ECHO's significance as a donor. 4. 2 Cooperation and coordination Drawing on experiences from the major emergency situations in recent years, the need for improved coordination of international humanitarian, rehabilitation and development assistance has been increasingly emphasized. The multitude of donors, international organizations and NGOs active in providing assistance, as well as the complexity of the emergency situations they face, has made such coordination both more important and challenging. ) ' ~. ) 4. 2. 1 Inter-service coordination The Commission continues to attach great importance to coordinating its humanitarian activities with the longer-term work- undertaken in. rehabilitation and development. The Commission in April presented a communication COM(96) 153 on Linking Relief, Rehabilitation and Development. Later in the same year a Joint Instruction Note was issued to the relevant services on the intensified coordination to be undertaken in this context. In terms of strengthening the linkages between short and long term efforts, the Commission in 1996 initiated the proce,ss of setting up a number of interservice task forces for countries. and regions moving out of emergency conditions into a situation characterized by rehabilitation and longer-term development. The work initiated in 1994 in the permanent inter-service group on coordination of assistance toward refugees, internally displaceq persons and returnees in third countries has continued, mainly by way of consultations on refugees activities between the various Commission services. Within the group, preparations are also made for the regular meetings between the EC, the US and UNHCR, which have been organized twice in 1996. 1996 also saw the appearance of a publication "Refugee issues", describing the refugee problem on a global level and the Commission contributions to alleviate the situation for refugees and IDPs worldwide. International humanitarian law plays an important role in respect of victims of conflict and ECHO facilitates its dissemination i. a. by publishing two books on " Law in Humanitarian crises" in January 1996. 2 In 1996, ECHO also continued to support the NOHA Diploma. This initiative was launched jointly by ECHO and DG XXII in 1993 with the aim of improving the qualifications of humanitarian staff. An evaluation of the programme was carried out in the autumn of 1996 and based upon positive results, ECHO will decide on further development of NOHA in 1997. ECHO chairs the inter-service group for disaster preparedness and has continued to play an active part in the inter-service Relex coordination groups for external relations set up to ensure consistency in the Commission's external relations policies. ECHO has taken part in the permanent Inter-service group on human rights, which has continued to meet regularly, chaired by DG 1 A. Among the activities in the field of human rights a few highlights are: ECHO contribution to a conference about human rights at the Hague in December 1996 as well as to a European Parliament report on Human rights in the World 1995/96. 4. 2. 2 European Parliament During 1996 the European Parliament carried out a significant legislative programme on subjects related to humanitarian aid. A successful second reading under the cooperation 2Office of Publications, ISBN 92-827-5337-9 24 procedure paved the way for the adoption by the Council of the Regulation -on Humanitarian aid. Parliament gave its assent to the reform of the 4th Convention ACP/EC and to the ratification of the 9th Convention EC/UNRWA. The Commission's communication on Linking Relief, Rehabilitation and Development was debated in the Committees on Development, Foreign Affairs and External Economic Relations. ECHO has played an active role in these debates. Parliament followed the ongoing crisis in the Great Lakes region very closely. A number of initiatives, such as urgent resolutions passed this year on this subject, the ad hoc meetings of the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Development and the ACP-EU Joint Assembly as well as the debates in Plenary show Parliament's deep concern with events. Commissioner Bonino has kept Parliament informed of latest developments in the crisis with regular appearances before the Plenary and the relevant committees. She has taken part in debates on the situation in Nigeria, Zaire, Somalia, Sudan, Armenia, Ex Yugoslavia, China, Georgia,. El Salvador and others. At its sitting in Windhoek in March the ACP-EU Joint Assembly adopted a Resolution on the situation of refugees in the ACP countries in the context of humanitarian aid policy. ECHO took part in the preparatory work as well as in the debate in Plenary. In Luxembourg in September, the Assembly adopted a Resolution on the establishment of the Permanent International Criminal Court. Commissioner Boniao sent this resolution together with a personal letter to all the NGOs partners of. ECHO requesting their support. ECHO services followed with great interest the public hearings organized by the Parliament on Coordination of development and cooperation policies in January, on Reconstruction in the Ex-Yugoslavia in April, on Impunity: the need for an international response in October and lastly on the Future of EU development cooperation and the effects of the IGC on this policy in December. In January, ECHO's director took part in the meeting of the European F arum for Active Conflict Prevention devoted to the situation in Rwanda and Burundi. Finally, ECHO appointed a parliamentary liaison officer in order to facilitate contacts with Members and relevant parliamentary bodies. 4. 2. 3 NGOs In 1996, about half of ECHO funding went to NGOs. ECHO continued to develop cooperation and contacts with NGOs, both directly in day-to-day contacts on operational issues, as well as through NGO networks and discussions on various policy issues. Such policy discussions were held on several occasions, often jointly organized with the NGO community. Activities included seminars on gender and emergencies. The Red Cross remains a major partner of ECHO. In 1996 The Commission contributed ECU 10 million (preliminary figure) towards ICRC activities in aid and protection programmes in emergency situations worldwide. Policy discussion has continued with ICRC and IFRC, as well as national Red Cross societies participating in seminars and workshops, 25 coordination meetings for regions and countries and through contacts at the operational level. In December 1996 the first FORUM ECHO-NGOs was held in Dublin to discuss: "Ethics in Humanitarian Aid". The discussion targetted practical exaµiples of ethical dilemmas facing humanitarian operators, such as how to act on human rights abuses, how to avoid humanitarian aid being. abused -in ·a · war economy etc. Commissioner Mrs Bonino highlighted the basic humanitarian mission to save lives, urging at the same time the humanitarian community to commit to "political advocacy". 4. 2. 4 United Nations The Commission remains a major donor to the UN system, not least in the field of humanitarian assistance. About 24% of ECHO funding (preliminary figure) went to the UN system which is about the same proportion as in the previous year. UNHCR accounted for about 18% and WFP for 5%. Adding on EU Member States contributions, the EU as a whole represents a very substantial part of the overall humanitarian aid provided through the UN~ Against this background, the Commission follows the decisions taken by the UN organisations, both at operational and at policy level. The Commission takes active part as observer in the policy work of governing bodies of the relevant UN funds and programmes and endeavours to keep up-to-date on the operations it contributes to financing in day-to-day contacts on operational issues. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) represents one of the major providers of humanitarian aid, assisting the large nup:ibers of refugees and internally displaced persons worldwide. The Commission has contributed a substantial share of the humanitarian aid programmed by UNHCR, notably in the Great Lakes and in former Yugoslavia. Operational contacts with UNHCR are kept on a continuous basis and policy level contacts are developed by way of organising regular meetings with UNHCR and other UN organisations such as the trilateral meeting in June 1996 between the EC, the United States and UNHCR. An extended version of this trilateral group, including WFP, held a meeting in November 1996. The agenda was devoted specifically to food policies and practices related to refugee operations, registration procedures as well as environmental issues and the discussions proved very useful. World Food Programme (WFP) has responded to increasing international demands for relief food by devoting more of its resources to emergency operations. By virtue of its Memorandum of Understanding with UNHCR it became more directly involved large scale refugee feeding operations. The Commission takes active part as an observer in the WFP. Executive Board meetings and its deliberations on various policy issues, not least the on-going discussion of how to strengthen coordination of humanitarian aid provided by the UN system. The joint discussions held with WFP, UNHCR and the US on food related policy issues have, from the Commission's perspective, proved very useful. In the second half of 1996, WFP set up a representation office in Brussels and appointed an officer in charge, which will further facilitate contacts and strengthen cooperation between the Commission and WFP in the future. Commissioner Bonino met with Under-Secretary General Akashi of the UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs (DHA) in Brussels in June 1996 to discuss the current situation 26 in the Great Lakes as well as ECHO support for and cooperation with DHA on varieus subjects. The Commission continues to follow the on-going work, carried out under the leadership of DHA, in the follow-up· to :the ECOSOC resolution 1995/56 on ~trengthening the coordination of humanitarian assistance of the UN. ECHO has had ongoing relations with DHA in 1996 in support and promotion of ReliefWeb, which made good. progress during the year, and has also followed the work on the Military and Civil Defense Assets (MCDA) project, including the setting up of a Military and Civil Defence Unit (MCDU) within DHA under the aegis of the Inter Agency Standing Committee (IASC). The Commission has participated in DHA's Emergency Assessment and Field Coordination Training Course which has been of great value to ECHO operational units' work. ECHO has continued to cooperate with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) notably in the field of health and nutrition. Vaccination programmes, health services are prominent among projects implemented by UNICEF. Towards the end ·of 1996, a UNICEF office was set up in Brussels and a new Director appointed, which will contribute to further facilitating the contact and cooperation with the Commission services. 4. 2. 5 The United States The Commission has endeavoured to keep close contacts with the United States regarding humanitarian issues and activities, both at the political and operational level, throughout the year. In April 1996, Commissioner Bonino and USAID Administrator Atwood travelled to Rwanda to assess the regional effects of the refugee emergency and to support international efforts to resolve the crises in that region. Sµccessful annual high-level consultations have been held within the framework of the EU-US New Transatlantic Agenda, where the humanitarian group has discussed and exchanged information on the situation in emergencies and agreed to hold consultations twice yearly on programs and plans. As noted in section 4. 2. 4, the US have participated in the tri- and quadrilateral meetings held twice during the year with UNHCR, WFP and the Commission. 4. 2. 6 Other third countries Contacts with other major donors such as Canada and Japan have been further developed during the year by way of exploratory missions to Ottawa and Tokyo which established the basis for exchange of information on humanitarian operations as well as the beginning of a dialogue on policy matters. The European Union and Canada have jointly agreed to undertake consultations in order to improve the provision of multilateral humanitarian aid and have envisaged joint initiatives to this end. At the 07 Summit at Lyons, The Commission joined with its 07 partners in affirm1ng that humanitarian emergencies were of particular concern to the G 7 and in urging closer cooperation between international organisations and bilateral donors in the delivery of humanitarian assistance and in facilitating the transition between the emergency intervention phase and the rehabilitation phase. 27 4. 3 Evaluation ECHO's internal evaluation activity got into full swing over the year. Using its own working methods, based on the. operational manual published in 1995, ECHO stepped up its evaluation, mainly of its programmes but also other specific operations. One such evaluation was of all ECHO action in the ~ormer Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) between 1993 and 1996, consisting of over 32 projects costing ECU 45. 25 million. The evaluation enabled the Commission to consider new policies to take the place of humanitarian aid in FYROM. In some parts of Central and West Africa (Burkina Faso, Niger,. Benin, Zaire and the Central African Republic), ECHO also evaluated the impact and relevance of the humanitarian food aid given to certain groups i_n a bid to learn lessons from this type of operation. Ten years on from Chernobyl, ECHO completed its evaluation of the humanitarian aid granted to victims of the disaster, particularly children being treated in the hospitals of Kiev and Minsk. The Office is very keen to improve its working methods and share its experiences with all those involved in the humanitarian aid field. As a result, two seminars were organized during the year - the first for ECHO partners, the second for Member States - to tell them about the evaluation procedure and discuss this area of ECHO activities. 4. 4 Disaster-preparedness ECHO developed a new proactive, mainly regional approach to disaster prevention, limitation and preparedness, which it will implement through DIPECHO (Dlsaster Preparedness ECHO). The two-year programme, 1996-98, covers the Caribbean, Central America, south-east Asia and Bangladesh. It will be prepared in two stages, consisting of an analysis of each region followed by an action plan. it will be conducted in close cooperation with other bodies, including the Member States and UN. Analysis work, which has been put in the hands of the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disaster, began at the end of the year. The action plans should be ready for implementation by the end of 1997. The Commission's disaster-preparedness activities take full account of the 1994 Yokohama recorrimendations for action plans, approved as part of the UN International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR). Through them, human resources continue to be developed, response capabilities improved and demonstration microprojects implemented. 28 5. Prospects for 1997 Despite the hopeful signs of peaceful settlement of conflicts in many regions of the world in 1996, it is nevertheless clear that- substantial humanitarian needs remtt. in in the year to come, notably in the former Yugoslavia and the Great Lakes. This is the case in former Yugoslavia, not least in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where a military presence will continue, as agreed by the Security Council in December 199~ with the mandate for a period of 18 months. The consolidation of peace and security in the region is a sine qua non for strengthening of democratic government and reconciliation, as well as rehabilitation and resumption of economic activity. Full respect for freedom of expression, freedom of movement and protection of the rights minorities remain to be fulfilled. Meanwhile, substantial humanitarian needs in basic necessities, shelter rehabilitation and infrastructure must be covered. These are basic conditions to be fulfilled in order to make it possible for the refugees and displaced people who so wish to return to their areas of origin. ECHO will continue work in cooperation with other services of the Commission and Member States as well as UN organisations and other donors to coordinate efforts in assisting the communities concerned. The massive return of refugees and displaced persons to Rwanda late in 1996 is a promising sign for the future, but the political solution to the situation in the Great Lakes remains to be found. The situations in Burundi and Zaire still give cause for concern. The remaining dispersed refugees and displaced persons in Eastern Zaire are still in large part out of reach of humanitarian aid. The reintegration of returning refugees and displaced persons in Rwanda is the immediate task for the government, with the support of the international community involving both humanitarian aid and longer term development assistance for rehabilitation of infrastructure, government institutions and the judiciary system. Many other countries and regions are likely to continue to need humanitarian assistance in the year to come, as is clear from this account of activities during 1996. The Commission will continue to respond to these needs as swiftly and effectively as previously. The efforts at linking relief with rehabilitation and development aid, m countries where such progress is feasible, will continue in the year to come. 29 • ANNEX S1 lovERVIEW OF FINANCIAL DEc1s10Ns FOR EC HUMANITARIAN AID BY souRcE OF FINANCE 1992-1996 As per: Ot/01197 1 9 9 8 DECISIONS CONTRACTS (In ECU) (In ECU) PAYMENTS (In ECU) 1992 1993 1994 1 9 9 5 DECISIONS CONTRACTS PAYMENTS (lnECU) (lnECU) (lnECU) Description DECISIONS (lnECU) DECISIONS (lnECU) DECISIONS (lnECU) Source of finance/ Budget Line t. OMEi: FEOGA B7-6O0O PHARE LOME>IV. ART 1~ iarid ART 254 (Z) B7-51O B7-21O B7-511 B7-211 B7-514 B7-214 87:,515 B7-215 87-516 B7-216 B7-517 B1-2 1 B7-219 B7-644 TOTAL FOOTNOTES: HUMANITARIAN. WTO C & E EUROPE. :. HUMANITAAIAN NOT(cid:144) EX-USSR. HUMANITARIAN ACTION IN SRO COUNTRIES : OPERATIONAi. SUPPORT, OISASTER?REPAR. HUMANITARIAN AID TO WESTERN SAHARA POP. 4,591748 3 117;318 6 288. 500 · 938Hi7 337 500 2 000,000 1 730 000 625 000 368 042 297 604 814 195 764 169 424 692 092 512 680 227 873 559 963 638 656 655 500 340 384 103 148 038 907 (1) NATIONAi. iNDiCATiVE PROGR'-MME FOR SOMALIA (2) ~YEAR Al. LOCATION (1991-95) UNDER LOME rv IS 250,000,000 ECU (3) DEClDED ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS (4) (5) IN 1995, THE BUDGET CHAPTER THAT CORRESPONDS TO ECHO BECOMES 87-200 INSTEAD OF 87-500 IN 1995, A 5 MECU DECISION WAS CANCELLED AND DE-COMMITTED UNDER BUDGET LINE 87-214. HENCE, NET DECISIONS IN 1995 FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA AMOUNTED TO 229. 6 MECU. Financial Decisions for EC Humanitarian Aid 1992-1996 (cid:143) PAYMENTS a CONTRACTS 800,000,000 700,000,000 600,000,000 500,000,000 8 §. (I) z 3 ~ 400,000,000 300,000,000 200,000,000 100,000,000 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 ~ · - - - - - - - - - - -~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -~. ,. ::,0 • Summary of Financial Decisions by Countries Benefiting from Humanitarian Aid 1994-95-96 ANNEX S2 As Der'. 09/01197 LOMEN /IFRICA WRICAeu-u-><tR•~- /IFRICA 8u'u-><t & - -. Re,U,, f'HG(X. A f!ENIN fll~MFASO fllllt. N)I CN'!:YEROE CI-\OD D. Jl001JTI ERITREA ElHIOl'IA FIJI Gl-wio. Gllll. EA GUl?,EE 81S$. 'V ~Tl IVORY COAST KENYA LIBERIA M'IDAGASCAR MALAWI IN't. l MAI. IRITIWIA M'IYOITT MONTS€=T MOZAl. fllOI. !; NIGER NIGERIA P/\F'1_1'\ NEW GI_HNEA RWl'JOA S€NEGN. SIEF-'RA LEONE $T ll. lCIA $1. 0/lJ'. J TANZANIA TOGO ,. ,GIV-CJA ZAIRE Cant,t,. ean f. •e:11,;,n Fk,r:'li:fs in Benin C". '!'VJI) ani:i Mav:-i1z. :11a 1994 DECISIONS (inECU) 1995 DECISIONS (in_~C\!). 1996 DECISIONS - (inEcy}_ •. 1000000 13500000 151000000 18000000 16 000 000 447 000 355000 1000000 60000 1000000 300000 100000 1 010000 1 204163 7 473 550 1170000 300000 400 000 500 000 1180 000 70000 340 250 123 440 15 500 000 2 773 200 125 000 18 507 000 1810000 200000 500. 000 7,320,000 25 000000 220000 300 000. 700000 42000 115000 1100 000 380 000 850 000 540 000 950 000 581 000 2 125 000 465 000 400,000 4 520000 9 950000 1,005 000 700 000 LgMEIII 1992 DECISIONS (inECU) 1993 DECISIONS (in ECU) 1 SOMALIA 40000000 7 796000 BUDGET 1994 DECISIONS (inECU) N. GERIA PNGOI. A. -i. BANlA /IFGI-W-IISTAN 12 315 000 1675000 2 935 000 6000000 19089000 AAl,£N1A ~ 18850000 500000 BANGlADESH 3 520000 1115000 600000 1004000 5000000 2 236 000 BELAAUS BU. GARIA ~Jt-01 CAMBODIA BOLIVIA BRAZIL 1995 DECISIONS (inECU) 12 695 000 1150000 5000000 17000000 23 955 218 28831010 2100 000 2 735000 1150 000 5 960000 220 720. CJ>l'EYEROE CHINA COLOMEIIA COSTA RICA Cl&. ECUADOR EGYPT El S. O. VADOR EASTERN and CENlR!>l AFRICA ETHIOPIA EX-YllGOSlAVIA GEORGIA GHANA Gll'ITEMALA GUINEA GREAT LAKES REGION ~Tl HOM)I_AA_<; INOIA INOOt,ESIA IAA0 IVORY C:01\ST KENYA KIRGYZSTAN LAOS lEfi/WON LlftERIA MADAGASCAA MN. I M'-I. IRITIWIA MEXICO MOLDOVA MONGOLIA MOROCCO MOZAMBIQ/_IE MYANMAR /Ell. IF/MAI NEf'Al NICAAAGIIA NIGER NIGERIA NORTH KOREA f'AKISTIW PAlE:STINE/ISR/>El i'J>NIWA PERI. I f'HILIPf'INES FltWINI/I Rl}SS!A SENEGAi. SIERRA LEONE S0W\I. IA SRIL. ANl<A SI. OIW lA. Jtk:IST. AN 1CHAD n~-. ,uwo 11. IRKtY l. 'KRAINE VIETNAM YEMEN ZAIHE Gener al Siu 11 es F0c,f'. 1 a11j l0r ". )s~ NV1 relu'J (several cntr l O,saster F'reQt1redness D,rtlthflna1nEM0r11-'. Lotvla l1thu Cvclr. r"te 1r1 tne CaoN. ,~an LA. nl1')t1i\. l-. arnu,1c1\ [)11 ec. l Ar hr>n Aini: i:, $1'1uth Amen< i, C0·N'l1nt1f1on ;-1rv:l MC"ntlr. nn') l rtwmr,! ,vi nw lf-N l"\IS,'\S!Pr Msrel1a1H. >(,us 700000 2 320,000 14 054 500 630 000 340 000 4 500 000 269 376 000 17 806 000 15000000 450 000 750000 20 595000 236100 234 670 000 27 469772 830 000 2770000 12 000 000 17 000 000 82 000 000 11580000 22 515 000 6. 250 000 1,500 000 100 000 24 873 500 1000000 8 050 000 1180,000 1,875 000 4 000,000 1,050 000 2. 500,000 1,000 000 1. 225. 000 320. 000 240 000 500000 200 000 4 700 000 2 320 000 550,000 9 870 000 8 338 359 615 000 8 000 000 9 825 000 3,300 000 750 000 1220000 100 000 3 481 962 950,000 1 990. 000 100,000 290 000 200. 000 5,350. 000 1 730. 000 2 619 578 500000 29 525 000 1,900 000 6 010 000 3125 000 11 450,000 16 105 000 2. 320000 250 000 500,000 500,000 200. 000 4 000. 614 1000000 900 000 8 570. 000 4,290,000 1996. DECISIONS (inECU) 41100 000 1650000 7000000 14 000 000 5070 000 9450000 300000. 500000 2 490000 2450000 1 060000 400000 8 600000 300 ODD 14 000 000 646000 187 000 ODO 10 205 000 140. 000 4 690000 160 ODD 205 430 000 10 000 000 450 000 570 000 120 000 29 520 ODO 340000 300000 3 920 000 500 000 4,400,000 1. 900,000 200 000 1. 000. 000 80. 000 500,000 317 000 300 000 1750000 200 000 500 000 9 000 000 200 000 1260000 8 849 000 550 000 7 000 000 5 000 000 1. 175 000 13 375 000 14 156,000 150 000 3 420000 800 000 200 000 150 ODD 145 000 1 940,000 2. 000 000 5 012 500 4. 500 000 500 000 278 ODO 653,168,500 Totals 263,268,603 46,456,000 3,487,000 To1als: 40. 000,000 7,796,000 Totals: 500,900,821 645,636,512 (1) IN 1995, A 5 MECU DECl~,ION WAS CANCELLED AND DE-COMMITTED UNDER BUDGET LINE B7-214 HENCE. NET DECISIONS lti 1995 FOR rnE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA AMOUNTED TO 229. 6 MECU Grand 1o1al 1994: Grand total 1995: Grand total 1996: 764 1169 424 I ECU s92. 092. s12 I ECU 656. 655. 500 I ECU • !FINANCIAL DECISIONS FOR HUMANITARIAN AID BY REGION IN 1995 AND 1996 1995 COUNTRY/REGION DECISION IN EC\I No- ti CONTRACTS COUNTRY/REGION ANNEX S3 1996 Ac per:OQJOf /07 DECISION IN EC\I No- fl CONTRACTS 234,670,000 2sa EX-YUGOSLAVIA 211,781,720 333 ACP TOTAL 187,000,000 278,040,000 108 131 EX-YUGOSLAVIA ACPTOTAL CAPE VERDE Af~1~::~a. ~tiB'~•·· ~\:/(/:. AFRICA: Food Aid ~~~~. ~~i>tj:/••••:···•:•>••:·······• EASTERN & CENTRAL AFRICA fl~i®,{:. ~. "~n/~~Lritanif• • GUINEA fW:rt:})<:••··•··• tv6Rvcost ¥$NYA\/• LIBERIA NiGEif/'< NIGERIA. Sie:RRAi. f:ONE · · soMAi. ·IA···· SI. JDAN'·•·· C. I. S (1) ARMENIA••• AZERBAljAN sELAA. US cieoRc;iA KiRGYlS'l'AN • MOLDOVA ROSSIANfED TAJIKISTAN VKRA1NE 137,491,000 ~M~s~1~ 28,831,010 2:1~s. 9oq 27,469,772 s;c,~O;()Q(},. 320,000 2~. 526;{)00 16,105,000 500;000 322 C. I. S (1). · : 62 ARMENiA ::• 63. AZERBAIJAN ·· ·••·. ·. \! • ·~~cet·••::::. ••· <:z4: KIRGVZ$. l'AN. 1 · RUSSIAN i=Eti :44 TAJJKiS'rAN. · ·. ·. ·. ·. ·•·. ·• 45 TCHERNOBYL Disaster >1 UKRAINE EASTERN EUROPE ALBANiA Baltic States RUMANIA TURKEY 2,900,000 1;150,()()0 1,000,000 soo;ooo 250,000 5 EASTERN EUROPE 4 ALBANIA 1 1 1 53,450,000. •5;070000 · 9,450'. 00C> · 19;~05,00() 500,000 3;920;90Cl> 8,849,000 H;15s,ooo 500,000 800,000 IRAQ ASIA(2) AFGHANiSTAN BANGLADESH CAM8001A· INOON. ESIA tAOS ::• •::':' :. NEPAL. NORTH KOREA PAKISTAN. , PHiLIPPINi:$ ·. SRI LANKA THAILAND::. VIETNAM YEMEN NORTH AFRICA/MIDDLE EAST ALGERIA LEBANON f>ALESTINE/ISRAEL LA TIN AMERICA BOLIVIA COLOMBIA CUBA ECUADOR EL SALVADOR GUATEMALA MEXICO. NICARAGUA PERU Co-ordination & Monitoring Disaster Preparecriess GRANO TOTAL FOOTNOTE (1) COMM~ TH Of NlEPENlENT SlA1ES 24,873,500 36 IRAQ 29,520,000 12 32,239,578 12;69MCJO 2,100,000 •s. ~i:iMO. 100,000 ;;1~M¢· 950,000 ·••29(:i,OOO 200,000. 2;~1M!B 3,125,000 2,320. ®() 500,000 200,000 12,225,000 5,000,000 1,875,000 5,350,000 27,385,000 1,150,000 2,320,000 1s,<>00;000 450,000 750,000 2,770,000 1,225,000 1,990,000 1,730,000 4,290,000 4,236,714 es ASIA(2). i5 •. · • >:zg;: Af'mtANiSTAN ::::. · 10 BANGLADESH ···••••••••• •::tf•: :CAMBODIA:/•••·•·• ····,· ci-,1NA. · < : 3 iNOoNEsiA. INDLA. •••••:t: lAbS : ••. ••• ·. ,. 1 MYANMAR > •. 8 • NO~TH KOREA / 6 SRi LANKA. •'. 5 • THAilANo· 3 VIETNAM ·:•1. •:YEMEN·• 27 NORTH AFRICA/MIDDLE EAST 9 ALGERIA 10 LEBANON 8 MOROCCO PALESTINE/ISRAEL 63 LATIN AMERICA 2 COLOMBIA 5 COSTA RICA 23 CUBA· 2 ECUADOR 1 GUATEMAlA 9 HONDURAS :3 MONTSERRAT < 6 NICARAGUA 12 PANAMA PERU General studies Food aid (several coootries) 6 Co-ordnation & Monitoring 26 Disaster Preparedness MISCELLANEOUS 692 092512 1171 GRAND TOTAi. 53,275,000 41,100. 000 •. 300,000 2;~;000, 2,450,000. ·. •. 120;000• 570,000 500,000 300,000 500,000 1,17!(000 3,420,0QCi 200,000 150,000 20,900,000 ·7,000,000 4,400,000 500,000 9,000,000 19,090,000 1,060,000 400,000 8,600,000. 300,000 4,690,000 450,000 380,000 1,750,000 200,000 1,260,000 1,940,000 2,000,000 4,500,000 5,012,500 278,000 656655 500 16 7 3 1 5 22 4 2 2 40 4 20 9 5 510 ~:~~~ME~~~vsws:s c. ANCELUOAN(l [lf. (OMlr,,ITll;[l l. J«l{R 8\. ll1Gf1 lM; H7-1U H(NCE, N(t NastOHS N 1!'!1!> FOR THE f()J. ;MER VUGOSl,A\,\,A. AMOVNTEP 107796MCCU ANNEX S4 /'$. PER Oll/Ol/117 EC CONTRACTS FOR HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE 1992. 93. 94. 95 • 96 TYPE OF. CONTRACT 1992 1993 1994 ,1995 1996 ECU ECU ECU ECU · N%0F ECU TOTAL N%0F TOTAL EC COMMISSION-DIRECT SUBTOTAL 11,361,142 55,114,HI 111,225,415 19,511,217 14. 1% 50,010,511 14. 7% MEMBER STATES SPECIALIZED AGENCIES ~it::::::-:·- j:iwa,<;:/ GERMANY. n"~f{'/(:C NETHERLANDS $:P~f? SWEDEN uit::::::::::::,:·:· SUBTOTAL 21,521,340 5,246,195 11,773,000 23,390,000 3. 4% 2,340,000 0. 7% OTHER GOVERNMENTS ~-~~~· MOZ. AMBIQUE ~~ : : TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO w~:~;:o~t®:·. · NEW CALEDONIA ~---::: :-· FIJI t:ROATWMACED<>NIA SUBTOTAL ,· ·. ·. ·. ·. ·. ·. ·. ·. ·. ·. -··:. ::. ·:. _. _. ·:·:•:. ·. ·. ·. -. ···. ·. ·. <· ·. ··. ·:-· 300;l!(IO [::/':/. ::/> ·::::- <: ::- : ,. -:, ·. - : <:. <: :?::'::'. :C: ·: 'ttooo 25_0,000 ·:. D •. 01/o :,:. ::,::,:,:::::,:::_ 0. 0% ·11. 0% < 0. 0% ·::D •. 01/o :,:-: ·- 0. 0% : : '11f,~7t' : : :>ci,0% !/: (/::. :. · ·,::::::::: 400,000 241011'000 25,325,000 :•:::,:::::-:::. 10000:000· ::,::, ·. 10,400,000 ·1 aoo"a 1,100,000 0. 0% :-:-•u. ll'lil. : ::::. - : ••·· :: 119,571 0. 0% -. ::::11. ~ 0. 0% ··:--::::o:o;c. 0. 0% ·::. :-::::::o:~ 0. 0%. ,,0% 0. 0% •:•-:o:t'J'. 0. 0% EC NGOs (11 AUSTRIA 81:L~:-::· DENMARK FKNi:f:::C FRANCE c. ti!:tMNY: GREEciE iRe~: ITALY LUXEMBOURG NETHERLANDS PORTUGAL SPAIN. SWEOEN UK SUBTOTAL OTHER NGOs 11\ NORWAY•' AUSTRALIA SWITZERLAND us•··· SUBTOTAL NA :·:-. ·,::; :io,1. ai,t$i>. ii,313,000. ·. , -: >. NA:·. :·\<< 3i,579,700 :460;°1Ji ··•u. u,cioo · ·t1os;ooo ·1,943,500 0 I: · 9,314,040 244,000. 1,110;000 NA:•: \ I : 2. 394 500 111,446,577 NA , :u;o,s;3J3. '8,724,057 ·· ,, , :. m. ;1{ h;OJt;fOO ·,ii,scio 1,02',000 11,4iii;9&1 0 15,212,715 ••t••o 19,021,132 ~: 23 606 851 262,550,750 625,000. > < :,;a. ~;~;1:1~ 27,121,000 -·: ::}/) 110,942,799 •: < Z:t,7_$1i~O 110,000. ··2. »5;25' · 1i;,01,231. ::·-:'45'"2Jil " 24,&i-i:113 1;~;~. 21,516,375 : ::m~oo 340~',·2:i 302,929,733 1,110,000 0. 2% :::' 34,140;00~<: :- :s;w. ,: · 11,3'3,000 : /~Iii,;~~::<) o. ~ / 11. 2-i. 110,102,014 1. 7%. ·. · -: : 22;51;;000:: : : 3~•4 0. 1% i1s;:;so. ~;41:s;ooo:·. ,> o:w. ,,. i. 1% 28,137,556 : 0. 2%. 1;0,5,7~ 4. 2% 2i,501,i1ci. q;s,;. : :- 3;3jl);720 22. 01 :i,scio 3. 2% : :o. iv. : 1. ,~11~000 · 6. 2% 45. 9% 42 497. 755 312,124,926. ie,114,soa 1,550,000 20,11,. 000 : ·· 4,555,000 0. 5% t1% 1. :i•,4 i5s;cioo > :- o:'2%. 1ij;•,4. : :'/11. ,227,000 :. ·>3j•ll, 600,000 0. 2% u% 1. ,2,000- 4. 5% 15,218,000 0,1'/, 218,207' 3. 5% 11,m,000 G. 3% 1;016,t!>0 5. 4',4 • 11,434,100. : z,,,s,ti4: u•;; 7. 4% 25 037 000 53. 6% 112,575,419. : ·. -: :::_. : I. 320,000 • 1232-000 1,552,000 744,612 1·111 siis 2,424,257 4it7MO• 250,000 1,237,140 •:• :- : ·· 1'ru oiJci. : 1,112,140 cc 1,542,944 0 3,211,500 •:1525 000 6,271,444 0. 2,r, •• :. :· 0. 0% 0. 5%. -·0:2\'(cid:127) 0. 1%. : 1,805,000 0 1,030,000 2217,130' 5,122,830 0. 5% 0. 0% 0. 3',(, ·<·o. 7% 1. 5%. • LOCAL NGOs 111 ANGQ(;l. :,:. BANGUDESH ao~:::,:- cHiLi: ·· ElSALVADoR ETHIOPIA G~::: IRAQ· MSC· 1190 JAMAICA. LEBANON OCC,T£RttlTORV tlSRL) · PAKISTAN PMILIPPINES SUDAN TURKEY·· SUBTOTAL ·. · ·. ::::. ·. <<. :. ·. ··. ·. -. , } 10,~11 >. 51,000 m;eoo I ~,520,~oo I <. 100,000 ,. i;245,00CI I. · 13,444 ~oo,ooa ·· 1,500,000 :-. ·. 50,000 I 500,000 41,000 :· ·:. < 70126 I >. · :,:·. ::. 1,089,626 4,740,000 ·. ·. _. ·-: ·'. -. 600,000. ·. 1,513,444 0. 0%1. :- 0. 0% ·. ~-O•~i> ·. ·. ·d:!~1, 0. 0% ···o:0% 0. 0% o;ooi. ::!!··· 0. 0% 0. 0% > 0. 0% 0. 0'V, 0. 2•,4 :·. ·. :• :- UNITED NATIONS WFP FAO WHO UNDRO UNHCR UNICEF UNDP UNRWA UNOHA PAHO SPECIAL UN OPERATIONS IIOMI SUBTOTAL ·. OTHER INTERNATIONAL ORG. ICRC FIRC CARITAS INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT GROUP LUTHERAN WORLD FEDERATION ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES SUBTOTAL Decomilmments Othrrs TOTAL :· :. :. 35,131,581 0 3,809,500 110,000 71,232,580 4,127,000 470,500 0 0 262,000 e 122,143, 166. 71,311,711 861,000 9,250,000 0 17,95. 5,354 13,631,598 0 6,000,000 0 0 ·. ·· 700 000 181,723. 733 35,073,IOD 1,666,000 70,000. ··: 38,001,120 26,001,135 "91,510 36,109,900 3,160,440 1 000 000 68,659,955 (985,681) 47,355,716 I: 0 500,000 0 177,33&;429 11,901,135 0 450,000. 402,175 I 2,149,450 570100 240,672,705 · 32,675,000 493,500 500,000 0 115,595,500 7,939,000 575,000 240,000 541,156 910,000 550 000 160. 026,166 4. 1% 0. 1'1', 0. 1•,4 o. o•,<, 17. 0% 1. 2% 0. 1%: 0. 0% 0. 1% 0. 1% ·. 0. 1•,4 23. 5% 32,327,000 37,163,&03 53,21~000 22,215,066 2. 152,105 107,730 92 104 72,S42,542 1,069,286 636,676 77,256,028 7. 8% 3. 3% 0,0',(, 0. 2% 0. 1•1, 0. 0% 11. 4% 18,252,496 61,400,000 3,065,000 460,000 13,177,496 10,425,000 5,660,000 500,000 571,770 17,156,770 331961251 597 954 168 753 525,535 680 227,873 100. 0% 340. 384103 (1) INCLUDING NATIONAL RED CROSS ASSOCIATIONS (7J THI,. ,. _,,. ~. 'Hl"JII ,,. , 'nil! l'Y'>H1'AAC't >,U(I\JN"n (17l Mfn>'' Aki S\Jll:rTANTlAUYIO\lr"l. R THAN™' l"'::-t51otf A. M0U~ ('Ml MfC\1;t5 NAT 7) ·' MF:"\. I MA. 3 lt([)( (~tlfCT'l. ,Y AloMINl!:iJJtEJ, 11r l-JVI (1f0". lA) IN A(:C'!Jflf1Aw:t Vo1ll4 TH[C'OMMl:S:SIOHllfC'l31':'N ~""f lJVlr '"'' )4(. H<. ~(. "'('ltf'T'JtM'!MAVllll'. D{SIIJHll1JYhJV] P<Jli ntCSAMC"JHT ANl•,. QTf(:)4':J nn P<V-1"lr<lH\Jl'Hfl. MS". N'. (l~!MJi:'\!)C'OJ,l~:-:TsN' A'X'\JMIJlA!'U'ANl'VNV"!l'. U-•N3lk¥£$FM". lM Al. AR'1f MUMIIO'. C'lf At"TIQMSIII 1"1 WHUI ft::HOWCAMf PVl. l. Y0M"AATl'. )HAl INIAf!L'I' 1"'1M~/ftCiW[J(lll. lMDIIA'tl. J YT Ar. DC f(,f~kl THAT AU. lOSf~vo Akf ElltUt t. rnUStl• ::'\fl: 'fC(,MMIITU• ,0 Tl(cid:141) AT nu Qt•crr!ON (. lf S\lkknltllMIJRJ::SfjCVO: WlU NC. •T Af/15'1 AOAIN ,o;o~ 0. 0% ~:l>"I. 0. 0% li. 0". 4 0. 0% ~:~•,<, 0. 0% 0. 0'1, 0. 0% 0. 11% 0. 0% O. O. % 0. 0% /·0. 1>"1, 0. 0% 5. 4% 0. 0% 0. 0•1. 0. 0% 18. 0% 0. 9'/, 0. 0•1, 0. 1% 0. 0',(, 0. 0'/, 0. 0¾ 24. 4',4 3. 1'1, 1. 7'/, 0. 0'/, 0. 1¾ 0. 2•1, 0. 0% 0. 0¾ 5. 0'/, 0. 0 100. 0% * * * * •• * •. M: * •• ~ EUROPEAN COMMISSION {ECHO) FINANCIAL DECISIONS IN FAVOUR OF THE AFFECTED BURUNDI/RWANDAN POPULATION since the 21st October 1993 until December 1996 AMOUNTS IN ECU ANNEX S5 AA per: otAl1197 COUNTRY DATE Reason for Contribution PARTNER AMOUNT TOTAL BURUNDI 25/11/93 Displaced Population 25/11/93 Displaced Population 25/11/93 Displaced Population 22/12/93 Displaced Population 3/02/94 Displaced Population 28/03/94 Displaced Population 17/05/94 Burundi Repatriates and Rwandan Refugees 15/12/94 Displaced Population ICRC/ONG UN ONG ONG ONG/UN ONG/UN ONG ONG 1,000;000 1,000000 1,000 000 1,000,000 1,000,000 14,000,000 1,000,000 5,000,000 -. 25,000,000 REGIONAL 21/12/93 Burundi Refugees 16/03/94 Burundi Refugees ONG/UN/IFRC 18,300,000 ONG/UN 13,500,000 27/05/94 Rwandan, Burundi, Tanzania Refugees UNHCR/ICRC 12,000,000 21/06/94 Rwandan, Burundi, Tanzania Refugees UNHCR 19,000,000 20/07/94 Rwanda, Burundi. Zaire, Uganda, Tanzania UNHCR/ONG/ICRC 12,000,000 27/07/94 Rwanda, Burundi. Zaire, Uganda, Tanzania UN/ONG/ICRC 75,000,000 21/09/94 Refugees & Disp. pop. in CentraVEast Africa ONG 4,500,000 20/12/94 Rwandan/Burundi Populations ONG/UN/IF RC 45,000,000 9/03/95 Rwanda, Burundi, Zaire. Tanzania WFP 25/D7/95 Rwanda, Burundi, Zaire. Tanzania UNHCR/NGO 12,000,000 25,000,000 21/11/95 Rwanda, Burundi, Zaire. Tanzania UN/ONG/ICRC 70,000,000 26/07/96 Rwandan/Burundi Populations 26/07/96 Rwanda, Burundi, Zaire. Tanzania UN/NGO UN/NGO 10,000,000 26,500,000 22/11/96 Rwanda, Burundi, Zaire. Tanzania UN/ICRC/IFRC 10,000,000 11/12/96 Rwanda, Burundi, Zaire. Tanzania UN/NGO/ICRC/IFRC 158,930,000 RWANDA 28/10/93 Burundi Refugees 28/10193 Burundi Refugees 28/10/93 Displaced population 10/11/93 Burundi Refugees 15/12/93 Burundi Refugees ONG ONG ONG/UN UN ONG 4/02/94 Refugees and displaced population ICRC/ONG 9/04/94 Conflict 12/04/94 Conflict & Drought 11/05/94 Conflict 17/10/94 Rehabilitation-Electricity & Water TANZANIA 15/11/93 Burundi Refugees 11/11/93 Burundi Refugees 29/04/94 Rwandan Refugees 29/04/94 Rwandan Refugees ONG ONG ONG/ICRC GTZ ONG UN/ONG ONG ONG 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 8,000,000 500,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 5,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 680,000 450,000 ZAIRE 15/11/93 Burundi Refugees UN/ONG 500,000 511,730,000 20,500,000 3,130,000 500,000 TOTAL 1993-December 1996 560,860,000 ANNEX s-s- Breakdown of Community Aid to the Former Yugoslavia, 1991-1996 by Republic· Republic Bosnia-Herzegovina Croatia (+UNPAS) Serbia and Montenegro Slovenia FYR. ofMacedonia All Republics Turkey and Hungary Total % 55. 6% 20. 0% 17. 2% 0. 6% 3. 6% 2. 7% 0. 2% 100% Breakdown of Community Aid to the Former Yugoslavia, 1996 by Relief Items Relief Items Food & Hygiene Medical· Local Capacity Building Psychosocial Winterisation Rehabilitation Miscellaneous Total % 32. 7% · 14. 8% 4. 4% 3. 0% 1. 1% 15. 8% 28. 2% 100% 35 ISSN 0254-1475 COM(97) 43 7 final DOCUMENTS EN 05 01 11 Catalogue number · CB-C0-97-443-EN-C ISBN 92-78-23925-9 Office for Official Publications of the European Communities L-2985 Luxembourg


title: WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2906/97 by Elly PLOOIJ-VAN GORSEL to the Commission. Extra charge levied on EU nationals' health- care bills in New York State

eurovoc_concepts:
United States
World Trade Organisation
additional duty
agreement (EU)
equal treatment
foreign national
health expenditure
health insurance

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text: C 60/140 SV Europeiska gemenskapernas officiella tidning 25. 2. 98 3. Om nej, anser kommissionen att Italien formellt bo¤r uppmanas att garantera samma medborgerliga och ma¤nskliga ra¤ttigheter fo¤r samtliga italienska medborgare, inbegripet dem som av o¤det a¤r besta¤mda att vara a¤ttlingar till exregenter? 4. Anser kommissionen slutligen att en lo¤sning som till(cid:229)ter a¤ttlingarna till huset Savojen att (cid:229)ter resa till Italien utan att dock (cid:229)tnjuta n(cid:229)gra medborgerliga ra¤ttigheter (s(cid:229)som ro¤stra¤tt eller valbarhet), vilket har fo¤reslagits av vissa politiker, skulle vara fo¤renlig med de ra¤ttigheter som unionens medborgare (cid:229)tnjuter? Svar avgivet p(cid:229) kommissionens va¤gnar av Hans Van den Broek (9 september 1997) Denna fr(cid:229)ga ligger utanfo¤r kommissionens beho¤righet. (98/C 60/231) SKRIFTLIG FR¯GA P-2906/97 fr(cid:229)n Elly Plooij-van Gorsel (ELDR) till kommissionen (3 september 1997) A¤mne: Extra avgift fo¤r EU-medborgare som betalar sjukv(cid:229)rdskostnader i staten New York A¤ r kommissionen medveten om att staten New York la¤gger en extra avgift om 32 % p(cid:229) sjukv(cid:229)rdskostnader 1. fo¤r utla¤ndska beso¤kare (turister) fo¤r att da¤rigenom bekosta sjukv(cid:229)rd fo¤r fattiga (icke fo¤rsa¤krade) amerikanska medborgare? A¤ r detta enligt kommissionens (cid:229)sikt otill(cid:229)ten diskrimination av icke USA-medborgare i fo¤rh(cid:229)llande till 2. USA-medborgare? Anser kommissionen att detta kan leda till oo¤nskade merkostnader och till och med till stora ekonomiska 3. problem fo¤r EU-medborgare som insjuknar i USA? Europeiska sjuk- och resefo¤rsa¤kringar ta¤cker inte dessa extra kostnader. EU-medborgare a¤r i nula¤get tvingade att ta en extra fo¤rsa¤kring, eller att sja¤lva lo¤pa en oacceptabel risk. 4. 5. St(cid:229)r detta handlingssa¤tt i strid med avtalen mellan USA och EU (t. ex. i WTO-sammanhang)? Hur avser kommissionen att agera i fr(cid:229)gan? Svar avgivet p(cid:229) kommissionens va¤gnar av Sir Leon Brittan (19 september 1997) Kommissionen har inlett en detaljerad underso¤kning av det problem som p(cid:229)talas av ledamoten, och avser att meddela henne resultatet s(cid:229) snart som mo¤jligt