On Monday, the European Union, through ECHO (Directorate General in charge of humanitarian aid and civil protection), proceeded to a presentation of its strategy to respond to humanitarian needs in Haiti in 2014. The presentation was attended in the presence of all partners implementing ECHO (UN agencies, NGOs and the Red Cross movement).

Raphaël Brigandi, Charge of Political Affairs of the European Union in Haiti, representing the European Ambassador Javier Nino Pérez, presented the priorities of ECHO and intervention strategies for 2014 in Haiti, indicating that a projected budget estimated at 18 million Euros will be available after the decision, that must be taken in Brussels by the European Parliament. He said that ECHO's actions will be carried out in agreement with the Haitian government, which will have the control on over 80% of this envelope.

Discussions focused on the areas of intervention, the specific needs, tiarget populations and coordination between partners. It was nter alia question of issues of protection of displaced persons, the fight against cholera, prevention of major natural hazards, the fight against malnutrition and enhancing food security.

Raphaël Brigandi specified that the European Union intended to give its full support to the Haitian government to help it address these major challenges.

For his part, Fernando Fernandez, Healthcare Regional Coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean indicated that interventions [fight against cholera] will be made in parallel with those of the Haitian government, supported by international cooperation, including that of the European Union to put Haiti on the path of sustainable development.

HL/ HaitiLibre