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EU approves 177-mln-USD aid to tackle root causes of migration in Horn of Africa

Xinhua, December 16, 2016 Adjust font size:

The European Commission on Thursday approved an aid package worth 170 million euros (177 U.S. dollars) to tackle the root causes of migration in Horn of Africa, according to a statement by the EU's executive arm.

The package consists of 11 new actions under the EU Trust Fund for Africa, launched at the Valletta migration summit in November 2015.

"With these new actions, we are steaming ahead to provide sustainable support to the many refugees, displaced persons and host communities in the region," said Neven Mimica, Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development,

"They will allow people to sustainably improve their lives in the region instead of risking their lives in the hands of traffickers and smugglers," the Commissioner added.

The largest part of the aid package (63.5 million euros) will be used for a project in three cross-border areas of Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Sudan to address the drivers of instability and forced displacement, and support cross-border peaceful cooperation and sustainable economic growth, according to the statement.

The EU aid will also support regional projects to build the capacities of countries of the Horn of Africa to manage migration, including fight against human trafficking and smuggling of migrants.

All these actions are part of an ongoing response to the commitments made by the EU and African partners at the Valletta migration summit, the Commission noted.

The EU Trust Fund for Africa is made up of over 2.4 billion euros from the EU budget and European Development Fund, combined with contributions from EU member states and other donors. Endit