from ReutersHere are some more details on the EU's newly proposed food fund. It is already being welcomed by NGO's that work in Africa. - Kale By Jeremy SmithBRUSSELS - The European Commission backed a plan on Friday to give 1 billion euros to farmers in Africa next year to help tackle high food prices and boost output, despite opposition by many EU states.The EU cash, largely the result of underspending and leeway in the bloc's massive agriculture budget, comprises 750 million euros earmarked for 2008 and the remainder for 2009. This year's amount could be given retrospectively from mid-June. At least eight EU member countries, including Britain, Sweden and the Netherlands, have questioned the legality of the scheme but have not challenged the merit of the idea.EU ministers and the...
from Reuters Africa By Jeremy SmithBRUSSELS - Europe's development and farm chiefs called on Thursday for better-targeted aid to help Third World countries achieve long-term sustainable farming, as a way to feed millions of people while global food prices soar.While the EU comes under pressure in world trade talks to slash its internal agriculture subsidies, it also faces repeated calls -- as a major humanitarian aid donor and farm producer -- to help developing countries weather the world food crisis.The EU's executive Commission has suggested a series of short-term measures to boost EU farm production that could be used as food aid and contribute to calming sky-high commodity markets. But long-term solutions are needed too, experts say."It is so important that we have short-term...
from EU Observer The European Union is risking embarrassment on the global stage for falling €75 billion short of its promised target to help the poorest nations by the end of this decade, according to a report by a coalition of anti-poverty groups.The study to be presented on Thursday (22 May) by leading aid NGOs, such as Oxfam International, ActionAid and CARE International, suggests that figures provided by national capitals in recent years were "distorted and over-flattering," according to the AP news agency."The official figures still fail to provide citizens with a true picture of their government's contribution," write the authors of the paper, adding that the EU's member states spent around €8 billion in what aid groups consider to be non-aid items.The major part of that sum...
from All AfricaEast African Business Week (Kampala)By Phillip NabyamaKampalaAll East African Community (EAC) countries but Rwanda are lined up for a massive food relief programme by the European Commission (EC) on the back drop of a detailed assessment on the levels of food insecurity.Following the EC assessment, 17 priority countries were selected to benefit from the food programme valued at 160 million euros (US$247,041,201), the biggest annual amount to date."Vulnerable people in many of the world's poorest countries are increasingly exposed to natural disasters, conflict and economic pressures that can rapidly lead to situations whereby people go hungry. The European Union has an essential role in providing them with food aid, and in restoring food production," Mr. Louis Michel, the...
from IPP Media By Perege GumboA latest research has mentioned the European Commission (EC) as the most inept institution in aid dispensation to poor and developing countries.The study was undertaken by consultants of Dar based Daima Associate Ltd and was commissioned by UK�s Department for International Development (DFID).The EC is the executive branch of the European Union responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union`s treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union.Presenting the final findings in Dar es Salaam recently, the Director of Daima Associate Ltd Dr. Samuel Nyantahe said that most non governmental organisations (NGOs) and Community Based-Organizations (CBOs) viewed the aid from the European Union as the most bureaucratic, and...
from NasdaqBRUSSELS (AFP)--The European Commission Monday unveiled plans for a new fund to encourage microcredit or small loans popular in the developing countries, in Europe.E.U. Regional Policy Commissioner Danuta Huebner said the new fund would have about EUR10 million-EUR15 million to be used to "finance the loan activities of non-bank microcredit financial institutions."The money, which would come from contributions from the European Investment Bank and other sources, would be managed by a new body whose staff would also provide expertise to microcredit lenders.The initiative aims to make credit more easily available to small companies and unemployed or inactive people looking to set up a business, who are often overlooked by traditional banks."Microcredit is a highly effective way...
from All AfricaThe Nation (Nairobi)NEWS2 November 2007Posted to the web 1 November 2007By Kennedy MasiboNairobiThe conflict between the Njemps and the Pokot communities in the larger Baringo District might soon be over.This follows the putting in place of a new strategy to promote peace in the area.Some Sh21,580,994 has been donated by the European Union (EU) towards programmes that will reduce conflict arising from use of natural resources. More than 40 people have so far been killed in incidents related to cattle rustling and other criminal activities.Several members of the Njemps community have fled their homes for fear of attacks.The EU, through the Community Development Trust Fund (CDTF), has given the money to Ruko Conservation Group that comprises members of the two communities.Mr...
from All AfricaNew Era (Windhoek)NEWSBy Petronella SibeeneWindhoekFour civic organisations working towards alleviating rural poverty in Namibia yesterday received financial support to the tune of N$25 million from the European Commission.The funds form part of the N$143 million of the Rural Poverty Reduction Programme funded by the European Commission through the National Planning Commission (NPC).The Namibia National Farmers' Union received about N$9.2 million.The funds, according to the Programme Coordinator, Oloff Manjanu, will be used for the Hoodia Commercialisation and Poverty Reduction project.hoodia is a succulent plant that grows in the Kalahari Desert in Southern Africa. One of its species, Hoodia Gorgonii had its appetite suppressant elements isolated in 1977 as P57 and is made...
from AfricastDAR ES SALAAM, October 04 -- The European Union (EU) will increase trade assistance to developing countries by Sh95 billion in the next three years.European Commission top officials said in Dar es Salaam that countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, most of who are negotiating a new trade regime with the EU under the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), will receive most of the funds."These funds are used to help develop the capacity to trade in partner countries by providing training and technical assistance, supporting private sector development, meeting health and safety standards for export, and facilitating regional market building," says a statement released by EC offices in Nairobi."In 2006, the continent received around 40 per cent of the total EC Trade Related Assistance...
from All AfricaBusiness Daily (Nairobi)NEWSBy Allan OdhiamboCoastal communities and five neighbouring countries are to benefit from a Sh1.7 billion initiative by the European Union aimed at sustainable use of marine and coastal resources.The environmental project offers the communities an opportunity to protect and develop habitats, while exploiting them to alleviate poverty through fishing, tourism and other income generation activities.Though tourism and fisheries have been the backbone of economies along the coastal strip, activities such as indiscriminate fishing, mangrove cutting and quarrying threaten the environment.The initiative to stem the slump will be coordinated by the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) through a special vehicle dubbed the Regional Programme for the Sustainable...
from All AfricaEast African Standard (Nairobi)NEWSNairobiAfrica needs a Marshall Plan anchored on a rejuvenated agricultural sector to rescue the continent from poverty and steer it to economic prosperity.Former United Nations Secretary General, Mr Kofi Annan, urged European Union leaders to shift aid policy towards supplementing efforts by the African Union to spur agricultural development to end the cycle of poverty."Sustainably improving agriculture for Africa's small scale farmers and entrepreneurs is essential for short and long term economic progress," Annan said yesterday during the opening of the 29th Assilah International Cultural Festival in Morocco. Foreign Affairs minister, Mr Raphael Tuju, was among high ranking Government officials representing Africa and Europe.Presenting...
from The Nepal NewsInternally, the politicians in power are totally confused about the sense of direction they need to have. However, the most fortunate thing in the present time Nepal is that the western developed countries have shown enormous concern for the Nepalese people providing institutional as well as economic support. At a time when Nepal , which is inevitably headed towards more political crises and mysterious uprisings by various brands and groups, is passing thorough a dangerous phase in its history presenting a gloomy picture, there are some signs of hope as well. For Nepal ’s economic development, the countries of Western Europe and Japan , which have no strategic and economic interest in Nepal – have been sincerely and purposefully providing aid. Despite losing...