EC denies aid insufficient

The European Commission (EC) has rejected claims by international charities that it is not doing enough to help drought victims in Ethiopia. Seven leading nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) charged recently that the EC had only made a “small contribution” to the 2002 emergency appeal. Ethiopia has been hit by a drought which, according to the government, has affected some six million people – although a revised upwards figure is expected early next week. “The EC welcomes any constructive criticism that may help improve its programme,” it said in a statement, issued on Friday. But, it added: “This [NGO] statement however, does not provide any accurate analysis of the situation or any proposals aimed at better quality of donor support.” The EC has earmarked some 67,000 mt of food for Ethiopia. But the NGOs said 37,000 mt are earmarked for future years and not the current emergency. “Any further pledges from donors will be made on the basis of the revised appeal expected over the next few days,” the EC said. It added that it had been working with the Ethiopian government to ensure the response came at the right time, and said any aid must address the root causes of food shortages.