Multiplying efforts to preserve a humanitarian zone in the Middle East: that’s the gist of the message transmitted by the Eu Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Louis Michel during a Conference in Jerusalem on the humanitarian challenges of the Middle-Eastern peace process. In his report on behalf of the European Union, Michel expressed the “growing concern due to the continuous violations of international humanitarian law by the belligerents” which provide protection and support neither to the civilian population nor to the personnel of the organizations involved in the distribution of aid. “Access to the victims is often difficult and insecurity is widespread – continued the Commissioner -, to such a point that the providers of humanitarian aid themselves become victims of attacks: this is an unacceptable situation”. In the presence of the main players in the region and representatives of donor countries, Louis Michel underlined the full support of Brussels for the peace process and the road map, and expressed solidarity to the victims of the conflict. The Eu is confirmed as the leading donor to the region, with 84 million euros being disbursed in 2006 and a commitment to allocate a fund of 60 million euros this year “to respond to the most urgent needs of the Palestinians on the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip and Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, Syria and Jordan”.
