EU disaster response flaws highlighted in Haiti (Newham Borough Liberal Democrats)

Newham Borough Liberal Democrats <info@libdems.org.uk>

EU disaster response flaws highlighted in Haiti

January 19, 2010 3:17 PM
Originally published by Sarah Ludford MEP

Commenting on statements by EU foreign policy chief Cathy Ashton and development Commissioner Karel de Gucht to the European Parliament about assistance to Haiti after the recent earthquake, London Liberal Democrat MEP Sarah Ludford said:

"The European Union's response to the Haiti relief effort has been generous in humanitarian aid but woefully uncoordinated in disaster relief. Proposals over many years for planning and management of crises but have fallen on stony ground, and now we see the result."

"French cooperation minister Alain Joyandet has unhelpfully whinged about the US role. This is a bit rich when it is Europe's 27 governments including France who blocked a 'Europe-Aid' proposal. Thank goodness the Americans have taken charge in Haiti, somebody had to."

"How many more crises will it take before EU leaders give Europe the capacity to react to crises fast and effectively? This should be done in tight cooperation with the US especially, so in future people do not die while Brussels and 27 states trip over each other."

ENDS

Note to editors:

1. A new proposal put forward by ALDE group leader and former Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt is for 'EUR-FAST' (European Union First Aid and Support Team), a permanent coordination centre to consolidate European civilian and military resources, hold permanent stocks of equipment and the capability to coordinate national transport, with the aim to dispatch aid within 24 hours of a catastrophe.

2. The EU and its member states are giving nearly € 500 million in humanitarian and reconstruction aid to Haiti.