EU emergency response to Malawi floods

27.1.2015

Question for written answer P-001064-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Alyn Smith (Verts/ALE)

Scotland has had strong ties with Malawi ever since Dr Livingstone went there as a missionary 150 years ago. The Scottish Government’s International Development Fund for Malawi — worth GBP 4.5 million — has supported over 40 projects since the Scotland-Malawi Cooperation Agreement was signed in 2005, with a view to actively contributing to achieving the Millennium Development Goals and the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness.

Yet following Malawi’s unprecedented flood disaster in January 2015, the latest figures from the country’s food security cluster show that some 370 000 people require urgent food relief and other assistance.

The Scottish Government’s Minister for Europe and International Development has announced that Scotland will provide a total of GBP 150 000 in funding for relief efforts in Malawi, which comprises a donation of GBP 120 000 to Unicef to help relief efforts and a donation of GBP 30 000 to members of the Scotland-Malawi Partnership who are currently delivering urgent humanitarian aid on the ground.

The United Nations World Food Programme stated on 23 January 2015 that it ‘urgently needs USD 18 million to continue its assistance to Malawi’s flood victims’.

1. How has the EU responded to Malawi’s dire needs?

2. Has the Commission taken specific steps to respond to the urgent needs of the UN World Food Programme?