IP/06/1094
Brussels, 10 August 2006
Louis Michel to visit Lebanon and Israel, 14-17 August 2006 Louis Michel, the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, will visit Lebanon on 14-16 August and Israel on 17 August. In Beirut, he will meet Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and other members of the Lebanese government. He will also meet aid workers and visit centres for internally displaced people (IDPs) to learn directly about the humanitarian priorities and practical challenges. In Tel Aviv, Mr Michel will meet the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tzipi Livni, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Amir Peretz. Commissioner Michel said "Secure humanitarian access to victims of the conflict and an end to hostilities – these are the top priorities that I will address during my visit." Commissioner Michel added: "I call again for respect of the international humanitarian rules that are designed to limit the effects of armed conflict on non-combatants. Every day, innocent people are dying. Thousands more have been injured and hundreds of thousands uprooted. Conditions are deteriorating for civilians in Lebanon as well as in Northern Israel. The situation in Southern Lebanon is particularly critical and it is vital to restore access to the people trapped there who urgently need help."
"The list of relief needs gets longer every day - basic things like food, shelter, clean water, medicines and hygiene items. The fuel shortage threatens the functioning of hospitals."
The Commission has mobilised initial emergency humanitarian funding worth €20 million (see IP/06/1064). The funds, managed by the Commission's Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO), target the most needy, notably the growing numbers of uprooted people who have been forced to flee their homes.
In addition to the €20 million already committed for relief activities in Lebanon, the Commission is proposing the allocation of further substantial humanitarian support, drawing on the emergency reserve of the EC budget. The aim is to increase the overall amount available to €50 million.
Overall EU response to Lebanon conflict
As well as humanitarian aid, the European Union has provided financial assistance for the evacuation of third country nationals, and expertise and equipment to help tackle a major oil spill off the Lebanese coast (see MEMO/06/306 of 8 August).
In addition, it is actively involved in diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. Javier Solana, the EU's High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy is travelling to the Middle East at the end of this week. He will have high level discussions with leaders on the latest developments in the conflict between Israel and Lebanon and the efforts, that is he strongly supports and encourages, to secure agreement on a UN Security Council Resolution aimed at bringing the conflict to an end.
For more information:
EU's relations with Lebanon:
http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/lebanon/intro/index.htm
EU's humanitarian assistance:
http://ec.europa.eu/echo/whatsnew/lebanon/ip_2006_lebanon01_en.htm
