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Peru

Commission decision of on the financing of humanitarian Actions in Peru from the general budget of the European Communities (ECHO/DIP/BUD/2009/05000)

Attachments

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No.1257/96 of 20 June 1996 concerning humanitarian aid, and in particular and in particular Articles 2 (f) and 15(2) thereof;

Whereas:

(1) South America is the second most vulnerable region in the world in terms of natural disasters, after Asia. Due to its geography, geology and climate South America is exposed to a wide range of disasters such as hydro-meteorological related disasters (including floods, landslides, mudflows, avalanches), geological disasters (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tidal waves) and climatological disasters (including droughts, extreme temperatures, cold waves, extreme winter condition and wildfires).

(2) One of the priorities highlighted during the preparation and analysis of the DIPECHO (DG ECHO Disaster Preparedness programme) action plans is the need to improve Disaster Preparedness in urban earthquake prone areas. The recent earthquake in Pisco, Peru, in 2007 put in evidence considerable vulnerabilities to earthquakes, particularly in Lima metropolitan and Callao districts.

(3) The lessons learned from recurrent earthquakes in South America (Caracas in Venezuela 1997, Bahia de Caraquez in Ecuador 1998, Armenia in Colombia 1999, Arequipa in Peru 2001, Pisco in Peru 2007) in urban contexts confirm the need to put into place efficient contingency plans and communication strategy awareness campaigns, elaborated on the basis of adapted survey and scenarios.

(4) Recent surveys highlight the lack of tools and preparedness in case of a major earthquake in Lima metropolitan and Callao districts where more than 3,400,000 persons live in high-risk districts.

(5) Considering the high level of exposure and vulnerability to earthquakes in the main cities of the Pacific coast and in the Andean cordillera, there is a need to develop exportable, exchangeable techniques and Disaster Preparedness adapted methods in urban contexts.

(6) To reach populations in need, humanitarian aid should be channelled through International Organisations including United Nations (UN) agencies. Therefore the European Commission should implement the budget by joint management;

(7) An assessment of the needs leads to the conclusion that humanitarian aid operations should be financed by the Community for a period of 18 months;

(8) It is estimated that an amount of EUR 2,000,000 from budget article 23 02 03 of the general budget of the European Communities is necessary to finance the strengthening of disaster management capacity in urban contexts in earthquake and tsunami-prone areas, taking into account the available budget, other donors' contributions and other factors. The activities covered by this Decision may be financed in full in accordance with Article 25 of the Implementing Rules of the Financial Regulation.

(9) The present Decision constitutes a financing Decision within the meaning of Article 75 of the Financial Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002, Article 90 of the detailed rules for the implementation of the Financial Regulation determined by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002, and Article 15 of the internal rules on the implementation of the general budget of the European Communities;

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

1. In accordance with the objectives and general principles of humanitarian aid, the Commission hereby approves a total amount of EUR 2,000,000 for the financing of humanitarian actions in Peru from budget article 23.02.03 of the 2009 general budget of the European Communities.

2. In accordance with Article 2(f) of Council Regulation No.1257/96, the principal objective of this Decision is :

- To strengthen local networks and capacities in disaster preparedness and response inLima metropolitan and Callao areas, Peru

The humanitarian Actions shall be implemented in the pursuance of the following specific objective:

- To contribute to disaster risk reduction in urban earthquake prone areas by generating adapted methods and tools and by creating resilient communities in Lima metropolitan and Callao areas

The full amount of this Decision is allocated to this specific objective.

Article 2

1. The period for the implementation of the Actions financed under this Decision shall start on 1 September 2009 and shall run for 18 months. Eligible expenditure shall be committed during the implementing period of the Decision.

2. If the implementation of individual actions is suspended owing to force majeure or other exceptional circumstances, the period of suspension shall not be taken into account in the implementing period of the Decision in respect of the action suspended.

3. In accordance with the contractual provisions ruling the Agreements financed under this Decision, the Commission may consider eligible those costs arising and incurred after the end of the implementing period of the action which are necessary for its winding- up.

Article 3

1. In accordance with Article 253 of the Implementing Rules and having regard to the urgency of the action, the availability of other donors and other relevant operational circumstances, funds under this Decision may finance humanitarian Actions in full.

2. Actions supported by this Decision will be implemented by International organisations.

3. The Commission shall implement the budget by joint management with International Organisations that are signatories to the Framework Partnership Agreements (FPA) or the EC/UN Financial Administrative Framework Agreement (FAFA) and which were subject to the four pillar assessment in line with Article 53d of the Financial Regulation. Article 4

This Decision will take effect on the date of its adoption.

Done at Brussels
For the Commission
Member of the Commission