The European Commission has adopted a 35 million euro funding decision to support humanitarian activities in Somalia. The decision adopted will address a wide range of relief interventions in sectors such as health, nutrition, food aid/food security, water and sanitation, as well as non-food shelter, disaster risk reduction, logistics, security, and the coordination of partner operations.

It is estimated that approximately 3,200,000 people, about 42% of the population of Somalia, would need emergency humanitarian assistance and livelihood support in the first half of 2010. and the situation does not seem to improve in the second half of this year 2010 according to field assessments.

The Commission recognises the complexity of the situation and the need for assistance in multiple sectors, as well as mainstreaming disaster risk reduction activities in order to reinforce the resilience and coping mechanisms of the affected people. The situation on the ground remains extremely difficult and dangerous for aid agencies and their ability to access and operate in Somalia remains severely constrained, especially in the central and southern regions of the country.

The 35 million euro funding comes in addition to an allocation in June 2010 of 20 million to support six drought-prone countries in the Horn of Africa, including Somalia. Natural hazards, particularly droughts, which are occurring with increased frequency, place a huge strain on pastoralists and agro-pastoralists who represent 80% of the Somali population.

All funds are channelled through the Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO), under the responsibility of Commissioner Georgieva. The Commission-funded projects are implemented by non-governmental relief organisations, specialised UN agencies ICRC and the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement. ECHO closely follows developments in the humanitarian situation and plays an active role in the overall coordination of relief efforts and monitors the use of the Commission's relief funds.

The EU is the biggest donor to Somalia, and is engaged in supporting the re-establishment of peace and security in Somalia (including Somaliland and Puntland) through development assistance. In this scope, the European Union already set up a crisis management operation in Somalia on January 2010 to contribute to the training of the National Security Forces of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG), as previously agreed at the FAC November's meeting.