Brussels, 2.12.2015 C(2015) 8453 final
COMMISSION DECISION of 2.12.2015
financing humanitarian actions in Southern Africa from the 11th European Development Fund
(ECHO/-SF/EDF/2015/01000)
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EU) 2015/322 of 2 March 2015 on the implementation of the 11th European Development Fund1 and in particular Article 9(3) thereof,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EU) 2015/323 of 2 March 2015 on the financial regulation applicable to the 11th European Development Fund2 and in particular Article 26 thereof,
Whereas:
(1) As a consequence of the uneven rains during the 2014-15 season and the expected delayed onset of the 2015-16 season influenced by El Niño, dire food insecurity situation is seriously affecting some Southern Africa countries.
(2) Findings of the 2015 vulnerability assessments conducted by the region’s National Vulnerability Assessment Committees (NVACs) indicate that about 6.5 million people in the region are at risk of food insecurity (with varying levels of food consumption gaps) in the 2015/16 consumption period.
(3) Prices of staple commodities (especially maize) and fuel are rising as own produce runs out, and international price increases may have a further negative effect on access to food.
(4) Food assistance will be necessary to contribute to the unmet needs during the lean season, protect livelihoods, mitigate adoption of negative coping mechanisms and prevent most vulnerable to fall into further destitution. Wherever possible, (markets are functional and target populations have access to markets) cash transfers will be encouraged.
(5) To reach populations in need, humanitarian aid should be channelled through non- governmental organisations, international organisations including United Nations agencies or directly by the Commission. Where necessary, recourse to Member States' specialised agencies should also be possible. The Commission should therefore implement the budget either by direct management or by indirect management inaccordance with Articles 17 and 37 of Regulation (EU) 2015/323 together with Articles 58, 60 and 121 et seq. of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2012/966.
(6) An assessment of the humanitarian situation leads to the conclusion that humanitarian aid actions should be financed by the Union for a period of 18 months.
(7) For the purposes of this Decision, the Southern Africa countries concerned are Angola, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland and Zimbabwe.
(8) Pursuant to Article 37 of Council Regulation (EU) 2015/323 and Article 130 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union3, and in view of the specific nature of humanitarian aid, expenditure incurred before the date of submission of a proposal for action should be eligible for Union funding.
(9) The use of the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) set up by the Internal Agreement4 is necessary as all the funds for African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries in the general budget are entirely allocated.
(10) It is estimated that an amount of EUR 12 000 000 from the reserve for unforeseen needs (B-envelope) of the 11th EDF is necessary to provide humanitarian assistance to populations directly affected by food insecurity. Although as a general rule actions financed by this Decision should be co-financed, the Authorising Officer should be able to agree to the financing of actions in full, in accordance with Articles 2(1) and 37(1) of Regulation (EU) 2015/323, together with Article 277 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1268/20125.
(11) Within 14 days of the adoption of this Decision and in line with Article 14(4) of Regulation (EU) 2015/322, the Commission will submit this Decision to the EDF Committee set up under Article 8 of the 11th EDF Internal Agreement, in order to obtain its opinion,