European Commission grants €3m in assistance to victims of drought

The European Commission has allocated to Moldova 3 million euros (49 million lei) in humanitarian assistance for victims of drought and plans further allocations. According to a press release from the Delegation of the European Commission to Moldova, the funds will cover the distribution of fodder and feedstuffs for livestock. The support is channelled through ECHO, the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid department, under the responsibility of Commissioner Louis Michel. The aid will be provided to more than 15 000 vulnerable rural households. In the medium and long-term, the Commission plans to assist Moldova with further budgetary support under the responsibility of Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner. Nearly 40 million euros (roughly 650 million lei) will become available to the Moldovan state budget in the next 6 months within the framework of Food Security Programme and the Support to the Social Assistance reform funded under the European Neighbourhood Policy Instrument (ENPI). The Commission will continue monitoring the drought situation in Moldova. Moldova has been hit by a severe drought that has affected 80% of the country, especially districts in the South. The impact on food crops has been serious and the most vulnerable households, relying on home garden production for many food staples, face shortages. Many small farmers have also lost their 'savings' represented by livestock that have perished due to the lack of water.