This Communication sets out the policy framework for EU humanitarian food assistance. The principal aims of this Communication are to: (i) maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of EU food assistance, in accordance with the Commission's humanitarian mandate defined by the humanitarian legal framework, and in accordance with the Financial Regulation; (ii) improve policy coherence, coordination, and complementarity between the Commission, Member States and other donors, in the provision of food assistance; (iii) inform partners and stakeholders of the Commission's objectives, priorities and standards in the delivery of humanitarian food assistance. This policy addresses the impact of the trends, such as increasing natural disasters, conflicts, and rapid population growth, which deepens the vulnerability of the world's poorest, most notably their food and nutritional vulnerability. It emphasizes the importance of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence in delivering food assistance, ensuring needs-based allocation, and avoiding damage to food production and marketing systems. It outlines the operational scope, including meeting basic food and nutrition needs, supporting livelihoods, and integrating disaster risk reduction and advocacy efforts. The Commission can initiate a humanitarian food assistance response when inadequate food consumption leads to emergency levels of mortality or acute malnutrition, posing a severe threat to life or risk of extreme suffering. The various symptoms and root causes of temporary food insecurity and acute malnutrition will be tackled by the EU and its Member States through diverse activities and tools to directly address issues of food availability, access, and use. Complementary, multi-sectoral, and integrated programming will be facilitated to ensure that humanitarian food needs are met comprehensively and effectively. The opportunities for mainstreaming disaster risk reduction, preparedness, mitigation and prevention will be considered by the EU humanitarian food assistance interventions, within the limits of the humanitarian mandates, regulations and food-assistance objectives.
2010-03-31