Emergency aid: the EU will soon run dry

(Brussels2) The various crises in the world have exhausted the "emergency operational reserve" that the EU has for humanitarian aid. Endowed with 120 million euros (15% of the humanitarian aid budget which amounts to around 800 million euros), this "reserve" was normally constituted so as not to spend everything at the start of the year. But the recent crises in Niger, in Somalia, in Pakistan lately have exhausted it. And there remains, according to my information, only a few million euros. Now we will have to replenish this reserve. And quick. The money will be taken from unused lines of the European budget. But for that, an agreement of the European Parliament and the Member States is needed. Let's hope that those who have shouted haro on the European Union will be able to use this "enthusiasm" to put their money where their mouth is.

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)