EU increases humanitarian assistance to crisis in Côte d'Ivoire

EU increases humanitarian assistance to crisis in Côte d'Ivoire

2011-04-19 20:59:38 GMT+7 (ICT)

BRUSSELS (BNO NEWS) -- The European Commission on Tuesday announced that it increased its humanitarian assistance for the victims of the armed conflict in Côte d'Ivoire.

The Commission granted an additional $42.89 million (€30 million), bringing its total allocation to $85.78 million (€60 million). The decision came after an extended need assessment by a team of European Commission experts.

"Côte d'Ivoire is passing through a very difficult period, but now there is a chance to turn a new page," said Kristalina Georgieva, Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response. "We need to maintain both the speed and the scale of our assistance, so that we can not only feed the hungry and shelter the displaced, but also heal the wounds of this conflict."

A team from the Commission's Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO) is currently in the North African nation assessing needs. The team consists of experts in the areas of health, protection, water, sanitation and food.

According to ECHO's report, the humanitarian situation remains a cause for major concern, mainly in the west of the country and in Abidjan which were the areas most affected by the armed conflict.

Thousands of people still don't have access to the very basic supplies notably food, water and health but security is slowly improving. ECHO will open a new office in Abidjan to monitor the implementation of EU projects, coordinate the EU response and assist the Commission's partners.

The EU is the largest donor of humanitarian aid to the victims of the Côte d'Ivoire crisis, responding with $121.49 million (€85 million) so far. The EU's funding will help improve conditions by providing shelter, food assistance, healthcare, water and sanitation, and security.

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