Press Release: Commission contributes extra EUR 25m to fight malnutrition in the Sahel and calls for proactive plans to prevent food crises

The European Commission has adopted a global humanitarian aid plan worth €15 million for vulnerable people affected by longer-lasting crises in the Sahel region. This is in addition to €10 million already made available in 2007 under the food aid budget to respond to short-term nutritional needs in the Sahel. This aid will reduce acute malnutrition and mortality among those who are most vulnerable – in particular the estimated 1.3 million acutely malnourished children under the age of five, as well as five million pregnant and breast-feeding women. Child mortality in the Sahel is one of the highest in the world and malnutrition is associated with nearly 60% of all child deaths. The aid covers five countries: Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger. Responding to the immediate consequences and humanitarian needs, this humanitarian aid plan complements longer-term development aid provided by the Commission to tackle the root causes of malnutrition. All relief funds are channelled through the Commission’s Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO).