91997E3202

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3202/97 by Luciano Vecchi (PSE) to the Commission (16 October 1997)

Subject: Saharawi refugees

Will the Commission state whether the measures to assist the plan for the voluntary repatriation of Saharawi refugees, recently drawn up for by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, have been adopted, especially with regard to registration, resettlement and rehabilitation of such refugees?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (27 November 1997)

Since 1993, overall contributions from the Commission (European Community humanitarian office (ECHO)) for Western Sahara refugees have amounted to 20 MECU. Last year, a total of 7 MECU was allocated, including 2 MECU from the budget line B7-644 adopted by the Parliament to help the population of Western Sahara and the remaining 5 MECU from the budget line B7-217.

This year the Commission adopted on 23 May 1997 a decision for the implementation of a global plan amounting to 7 MECU in favour of the Western Sahara refugees. This plan includes two elements: food aid (5.8 MECU) and a medical and logistic assistance, emergency rehabilitation and water purification programme (1.2 MECU). The allocation for 1997 will contribute to ensure supplies to this population of basic products, to maintain the security stocks, as well as to preserve the living conditions and the health care, on an acceptable level.

As part of the close cooperation between the United Nations high commissioner for refugees, the world food programme and ECHO concerning humanitarian assistance in favour of Western Sahara refugees, the Commission will pay great attention to the humanitarian situation of this population during the setting up of the voluntary repatriation plan and will adapt its 1998 aid programme accordingly.