02 Jun 2010COMMISSION DECISION of on the approval and financing of a Global Plan for humanitarian actions in Iraq and neighbouring countries from the general budget of the European Union
(ECHO/ME/BUD/2010/02000)
Source: European Commission Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO)
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THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No.1257/96 of 20 June 1996 concerning humanitarian aid 1, and in particular Article 2, and Article 15(3) thereof;
Whereas:
(1) The level of violence in Iraq is on a decreasing trend since 2007 and the political, economic and social stabilization of the country has started. However this level of violence remains still too high for the majority of hundreds of thousands of Internally Displaced People (IDPs) and refugees to return in great numbers to their areas of origin;
(2) In addition, the basic needs of the IDPs and the most vulnerable population in Iraq remain high in terms of protection and access to basic services;
(3) For Iraqi refugees living in the neighbouring countries mainly Syria and Jordan, the possibility of large scale resettlement to third countries is unlikely to happen, and the perspective for their integration in the neighbouring countries appears remote for the time being;
(4) Therefore the resources of the poorest segments of these refugees are being depleted and this population is more than ever in needs of basic support to survive and cope with the trauma of displacement;
(5) As the scale and complexity of the humanitarian crisis is such that it is likely to continue, it is necessary to adopt a Global Plan to provide a coherent framework for the implementation of humanitarian Actions;
(6) To reach populations in need, humanitarian aid should be channelled through Non- Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and International Organisations including United Nations (UN) agencies. Therefore the European Commission should implement the budget by direct centralized management or by joint management;
(7) An assessment of the humanitarian situation leads to the conclusion that humanitarian aid Actions should be financed by the European Union for a period of 18 months;
(8) For the purposes of this Global Plan the neighbouring countries involved are Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Egypt and Iran;
(9) It is estimated that an amount of EUR 18,000,000, of which EUR 16,000,000 from budget article 23 02 01 and EUR 2,000,000 from article 23 02 02 of the general budget of the European Union, is necessary to provide humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable victims of the Iraqi crisis, including Internally Displaced People (IDPs) and refugees, taking into account the available budget, other donors' contributions and other factors. Although as a general rule Actions funded by this Global Plan should be co-financed, the Authorising Officer, in accordance with Article 253 of the Implementing Rules of the Financial Regulation, may agree to the full financing of Actions;
(10) Due to the rapidly evolving situation in the field and the nature of the Actions to be funded under this Global Plan, it is necessary to establish a contingency reserve in order to meet unforeseen events;
(11) The present Decision constitutes a financing Decision within the meaning of Article 75 of the Financial Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/20022, Article 90 of the detailed rules for the implementation of the Financial Regulation determined by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/20023, and Article 15 of the internal rules on the implementation of the general budget of the European Union4;
(12) In accordance with Article 17(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No.1257/96 of 20 June 1996, the Humanitarian Aid Committee gave a favourable opinion on 24/03/2010.
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
Article 1
1. In accordance with the objectives and general principles of humanitarian aid, the Commission hereby approves a 2010 Global Plan for the financing of humanitarian Actions in the Iraqi crisis for an amount of EUR 18,000,000, of which EUR 16,000,000 from budget article 23 02 01 and EUR 2,000,000 from budget article 23 02 02 of the 2010 general budget of the European Union.
2. In accordance with Article 2 of Council Regulation No.1257/96, the principal objective of this Decision is to provide the necessary assistance and relief to vulnerable populations affected by the Iraqi crisis. The humanitarian Actions shall be implemented in the pursuance of the following specific objectives:
– To provide protection and relief to vulnerable populations, including IDPs and returnees, affected by the crisis in Iraq. A total of EUR 7,000,000 from budget article 23 02 01 is allocated to this specific objective.
– To provide protection and relief to Iraqi refugees in neighbouring countries. A total of EUR 8,000,000 from budget article 23 02 01 is allocated to this specific objective.
– To ensure adequate food availability through the provision of food assistance to the Iraqi refugees in Syria.
A total of EUR 2,000,000 from budget article 23 02 02 is allocated to this specific objective.
A total of EUR 1,000,000 from budget article 23 02 01 is allocated to the contingency reserve.
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