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Bolivia

ECHO: COMMISSION DECISION on the financing of humanitarian actions in Bolivia from the general budget of the European Union

Attachments

(ECHO/BOL/BUD/2010/01000)

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 , and in particular Article 2 and Article 15(3) thereof;

Whereas:

(1) The south east region of Bolivia, known as the Chaco, has been experiencing record high temperatures and longer periods than average without rainfall for three consecutive years since 2008. The cumulative impact of drought reached its most critical level in the 2010 dry season and is seriously impacting on human population, livestock and agricultural activity generating humanitarian and recovery needs;

(2) Over 19,500 families have been affected in the Bolivian Chaco departments of Santa Cruz, Chuquisaca and Tarija, with the most critical levels of impact among rural and isolated indigenous communities whose livelihood consists of subsistence farming (less than 2 Ha) and limited minor livestock (i.e. cattle, poultry);

(3) The provision of water and related services is critical (water trucking, water catchment rehabilitation support, water storage facilities -at household and community level- and water management training -communities and authorities, including training on water distribution in emergencies and hygiene practices at household level).

(4) Poor crop performance among subsistence farmers shows the need for an urgent distribution of food commodities (either in kind or food vouchers) and seeds before the end of October, complemented by rehabilitation of soils and improvement of production and post-harvesting practices. Distribution of vitamins, salts, veterinary treatments -de-worming- and water in order to prevent high losses in food security sources are also necessary;

(5) Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction in food assistance and in water and sanitation sectors is also critical in a drought context. Communities and municipalities should be encouraged to manage drought during the whole year, not just during its peak;

(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 centralised 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 12 months;

(8) It is estimated that an amount of EUR 1,500,000 from budget article 23 02 01 of the general budget of the European Union is necessary to provide humanitarian assistance to up to 30,000 vulnerable people affected by drought in Bolivia 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 253 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 2342/20023, and Article 15 of the internal rules on the implementation of the general budget of the European Union.