91998E3879

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3879/98

by Daniela Raschhofer (NI) to the Commission

(11 December 1998)

Subject: "World Vision Austria" and misappropriation of funds

It recently emerged in Austria that a large amount of funds - Sch. 15 million - destined for the "World Vision Austria" aid organisation had been misappropriated.

Since an Austrian Member of the European Parliament and EU project funds are involved, will the Commission answer the following questions:

1. What official contacts and links exist between the aid organisation "World Vision Austria" and the European Union?

2. Are any aid projects being carried out by "World Vision Austria" on behalf of, or in cooperation with, the European Union, and if so which projects?

3. What are the objectives and who are the recipients of the aid?

4. How much money was allocated to the aid projects?

5. Does the Commission know whether the aid reached its destination and the objective of the aid measures was attained?

6. Was any pressure applied to entrust an EU aid project for Bosnia to the aid organisation "World Vision", and if so by whom?

7. Which Austrian NGOs does the Commission work with in carrying out aid projects?

8. What is the level of EU funds thus allocated to people in need?

Answer given by Ms Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(20 January 1999)

The Commission has taken the matter referred to by the Honourable Member in hand. At present it does not have sufficient information to confirm or refute the allegations.

Between 1996 and 1998, the Commission concluded three humanitarian aid contracts with World Vision Austria accounting for a total of ECU 1 022 000, all for emergency rehabilitation projects in former Yugoslavia, enabling minority groups to return to the canton of Zenica-Doboj. The projects benefited some 228 families whose homes were rehabilitated and 150 pupils of the primary school in Cobe. All three were completed satisfactorily.

The other Austrian non-governmental organisations with which the Commission works in the field of humanitarian aid are the Austrian Help Program, Care Osterreich, Caritas Austria, Osterreichisches Hilfswerk International, the Austrian Red Cross and SOS Kinderdorf.

The budget allocated by the budgetary authority to humanitarian aid under Chapter B7-21 for 1998, including additions, is ECU 475 million.