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Skriven 2005-06-07 23:36:04 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0506073) for Tue, 2005 Jun 7
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Fact Sheet: Addressing Hunger and Humanitarian Emergencies in Africa
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
June 7, 2005

Fact Sheet: Addressing Hunger and Humanitarian Emergencies in Africa



>Through all our efforts to fight disease and hunger, we can spare people
in many nations from untold suffering, and Africa especially. Millions are
facing great affliction, but with our help, they will not face it alone.
America has a special calling to come to their aid, and we will do so with
the compassion and generosity that have always defined the United States."

President George W. Bush, February 1, 2003

Today's Action
  þ Today, President Bush announced approximately $674 million of
    additional resources to respond to humanitarian emergencies in Africa.
    Together President Bush and Prime Minister Blair called on the
    international community to increase their funding for the humanitarian
    emergencies in Africa. They called on the world to provide increased
    resources for humanitarian relief for emergencies occurring now and for
    those that might arise in the future. While furthering our efforts with
    African nations on development, we cannot overlook the urgent
    humanitarian needs of today.
  þ $414 million of the additional resources will be provided immediately
    to avert famine in the Horn of Africa. With these resources, the United
    States will help meet the food needs for the estimated 14-million
    people at risk in Ethiopia and Eritrea, and provide additional
    resources to Somalia and Djibouti.
  þ Prime Minister Blair confirmed the UK's commitment to provide $125
    million to the Productive Safety Net Program in Ethiopia. The UK and
    the United States commend this determined effort to change the dynamic
    from dependence to sustainable livelihoods.
  þ The President and the Prime Minister are taking decisive action now so
    food and other assistance can be delivered to those in need before
    famine strikes.
  þ Other interventions are needed in a timely, complementary manner
    elsewhere in Africa.

The funding announced today includes:
  þ An estimated $674 million from the United States for emergency relief
    in Africa.
      þ An estimated $250 million for food aid from the Emerson
        Humanitarian Trust;
      þ $240 million for food aid from the emergency supplemental; and
      þ $184 million for emergency humanitarian assistance from the
        emergency supplemental.

Humanitarian Emergencies
  þ The United Nations has appealed for $4.5 billion in resources for
    humanitarian emergencies in Africa to assist approximately 44-million
    people obtain their basic human requirements of food, water, shelter,
    health care, and sanitation. The United Nations estimates that $3.5
    billion of that request has not been met. The United States has already
    provided nearly $1.4 billion this fiscal year for humanitarian needs in
    Africa, some through the United Nations and some directly to
    non-governmental organizations providing relief in emergency settings.
    The $674 million announced today would be in addition to the funds
    already provided by the United States.
  þ The causes of these emergencies are varied, and these resources are
    intended to meet the basic requirements of those in need. The African
    nations themselves remain responsible for the well-being of their
    citizens and must also take the appropriate actions to address the root
    causes of the crises, as well as support emergency relief needs. We
    will continue to work with African nations in this regard.

Breaking the Cycle of Famine
  þ The G-8, through its >Breaking the Cycle of Famine_ initiative, is
    engaged with the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and
    others to improve agricultural productivity in Africa. We will continue
    to work with NEPAD to support its Comprehensive Agriculture Action
    Plan, including through more sustainable land and water management,
    market-oriented agricultural policies, improved infrastructure, access
    to finance, more developed regional markets, and science and
    technology.
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