28.06.2006 - Eradicating hunger: Commission steps up its efforts in food aid and food security with a €197 M package

The European Commission has adopted its 2006 Annual Work Programme for grants in the area of food aid and food security with a global budget of € 197 million. The EC approach is focused on the integration of food security policy within the fight against poverty, hence recognizing hunger as the basic dimension of poverty. Activities foreseen in the Annual Work Programme aim at contributing to the achievement of the first Millennium Development Goal: eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.

The European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, said : “The Commission stands ready to face food crisis situation but food aid can not and must not become the easy answer, a short term reaction which covers the shortcomings of governments and donors in facing structural problems. “

The European Commission is committed to give priority to food security operations instead of food aid. Reinforcing rapid alert systems, developing national strategic stocks to prevent dramatic imbalances of local markets in case of severe drought or plagues or improving children’s nutrition through schools are key actions of Commission’s sponsored programs.

More information:

http://ec.europa.eu/comm/europeaid/projects/foodsec/index_en.htm

Source: Rapid

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