EC targets drought and war affected civilians

The European Commission on Tuesday expressed its alarm at the humanitarian consequences of the resumption of hostilities, and concern about “problems being encountered in the delivery of food aid due to the security situation in the region.” Nonetheless, it expressed its intention to commit 20,000 mt of additional food aid and two million euros (over $2m) to victims of war and drought in Eritrea. The Commission would provide 10,000 mt of wheat to be distributed by NGOs and 10,000 mt to be handled by the WFP, bringing the total for delivery this year to 45,400 mt, an EC press release stated.

The European Commission’s Humanitarian Office (ECHO) would make available the 2 million euros to finance interventions by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and European NGOs, including Save the Children and Oxfam, “to assist Eritreans forced to flee from the invading Ethiopian troops,” the statement said. These organisations would distribute medical supplies and food for children, as well as organising emergency water supplies and sanitation for the displaced, it added.