(Extract)
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Despite the gradual return of peace to the rest of the country, the humanitarian situation in the East has worsened in 2009. Sexual violence is a very disturbing and widespread phenomenon.
With 1.5 million displaced people, a significant fall in the level of the harvest due to access problems and prevailing insecurity, the humanitarian situation remains precarious. Water and sanitation problems are additional challenges standing in the way of restoring relative stability. The reintegration of refugees coming from Tanzania and Zambia creates additional problems.
In order to tackle this situation, DG ECHO will support food security programmes in order to provide subsistence and help re-establish security combined with support for returning refugees. These activities which represent the bulk of DG ECHO financing, will be closely coordinated with development cooperation instruments, particularly in the areas of reintegration, rehabilitation, health and food security. Where circumstances allow this approach should enable intervention by other donors in the spirit of LRRD. Commission financing will also be used to increase the quality and speed of aid by reinforcing partners' capacities. DG ECHO is also determining to increase its presence in the prevention of sexual violence and the treatment of victims by integrating these aspects into the majority of projects which form part of the Commission's global strategy to address this problem. Finally, the Commission will continue to defend the humanitarian space and promote respect for humanitarian principles through advocacy, coordination and active support for humanitarian logistics, mostly through ECHO Flight.
ECHO Flight
ECHO Flight operations allow the Commission to continue to contribute to the implementation of humanitarian projects in remote regions, be it in DRC, Kenya or other possible areas of operation. This activity increases humanitarian access for humanitarian actors and provides an efficient, reliable and safe service, which is also used in the framework of post-crisis projects. The service will continue to coordinate closely with other humanitarian aid services and to avoid any competition with viable commercial airlines.
Central African Republic (CAR)
The Central African Republic has witnessed increased insecurity in 2009, which has restricted the humanitarian space and access to populations and led to a deterioration of the humanitarian situation. In 2010, DG ECHO will respond both to existing needs and to new emergencies, contributing to the humanitarian effort in two main areas: first, the provision of multisectoral humanitarian assistance, with a particular focus on water and sanitation and nutrition; and, second, support for the protection of vulnerable civilians, particularly women and children, and enhanced access to populations, by encouraging the presence of humanitarian actors in the most critical areas, supporting humanitarian logistics services and promoting the need for efficient humanitarian coordination. At the same time, particular attention will be paid to LRRD in areas already earmarked for future reconstruction by development actors.
Burundi/Tanzania
DG ECHO's exit strategy from Burundi and Tanzania is based on two factors: refugee return and reintegration as well as a hand-over to development cooperation actors in the spirit of LRRD. Since the numbers returning were lower than predicted in 2009, two camps will remain in Tanzania and three in Burundi in 2010. Although a development dynamics is slowly taking root in Burundi, the country remains fragile both politically (presidential elections in 2010) and socio-economically (the return of hundreds of thousands of refugees and a precarious food security situation). Consequently, the main areas covered by LLRD to help ensure coverage of essential needs will be food security, reintegration, health and nutrition, water and sanitation, education, protection and resettlement.
See full document at: http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/lib.nsf/db900SID/SODA-7XJMDK?OpenDocument
