EC funds projects in conflict-affected region

The European Commission (EC) has announced an additional €20.62 million (US $27.28 million) to fund projects aimed at improving the lives of people affected by the conflict in northern Uganda. The donation is part of a series of humanitarian-aid packages amounting to €80 million ($105.89 million) for several African countries affected by various crises. The funding decision was adopted by the EC in January. The money will be managed by the EC's humanitarian organisation (ECHO) under the responsibility of the commissioner for development and humanitarian aid, Louis Michel. The funds will support vulnerable populations affected by insecurity and climatic hazards, the EC said in a statement on Monday. "The forgotten crises of Africa need our continued support," Michel said in the statement. "As these funding decisions testify, the European Commission’s humanitarian funding is allocated where needs are greatest." Northern Uganda has been ravaged by 18 years of war between the Ugandan government and the rebel Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), a group that has gained notoriety for its atrocities against civilians and its abduction of children for use as soldiers, sex slaves and porters. At least 1.6 million people have been displaced from their homes by the conflict and live in camps scattered across the region. Using the funding package announced in the statement, ECHO will fund projects that focus on improving health, water availability, food security and the provision of essential items, such as cooking pots and protection, in the region. The aid package for crisis-affected countries in Africa would also benefit three West African states - Liberia, Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire - which will receive a total of €31.3 million ($41.4 million). Those countries have suffered from conflict for the past 14 years, resulting in widespread destruction, displacement of populations and a general depletion of basic services. The EC said the funds would be used to provide emergency help for those affected by conflict in Côte d’Ivoire, support the return and resettlement of refugees in Liberia and help refugees in Guinea. More than three million people are expected to benefit from the funded operations. The central African country of Burundi will receive €20.99 million ($27.78 million). According to the EC, the 2003 ceasefire agreement brought fresh hope for peace in the strife-torn country, encouraging many people displaced by the violence to return home. The humanitarian situation, however, remains highly uncertain and violence in the Bujumbura Rural area persists. The EC funding would help displaced people, facilitate the return of Burundian refugees living in Tanzania and provide support for refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) living in Burundi. It will also target host populations, which are also at risk of death and disease. Priority sectors include food and nutrition, health, water and sanitation, and socio-psychological support. In Tanzania, the funding will be used for projects to help the 400,000 refugees from Burundi and the DRC. The statement said ECHO, which continues to be the key donor to UNHCR in Tanzania, also intended to continue supporting UNICEF and Red Cross refugee programmes in Tanzania.