Brussels, 18.12.2015 C(2015) 9705 final
COMMISSION DECISION
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EU) 2015/323 of 2 March 20151 on the financial regulation applicable to the 11th European Development Fund and in particular Article 26 thereof,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EU) 2015/322 of 2 March 20152 on the implementation of the 11th European Development Fund and in particular Articles 6 and 9(4) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Mali experienced a severe political and security crisis in 2012 and 2013. The northern part of the country was occupied by armed groups active in those regions and in the rest of the Sahara-Sahel region, and the normal functioning of Malian institutions was interrupted by a coup. Since then, the situation has improved. In 2013, the joint intervention by African and French military forces and the mobilisation of the international community helped support the return to normal constitutional order, leading to the election of Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta as President of the Republic and the holding of legislative elections. The United Nations established the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), was deployed on 1 July 2013 and has a mandate until 30 June 2016.
(2) Since then, the process of peace building and the restoration of State authority has continued. The signature of the peace agreement on 20th June was an important step forward in the process of rebuilding mutual trust and confidence in Mali.
(3) Despite the agreement, the situation on the ground remains fragile. During the last couple of months, Mali assisted to several violations of the ceasefire agreement; violent clashes also between communities and security incidents related to banditry are increasing. These events are a stark reminder of the complexity and unpredictability of the security environment in the Northern regions. Moreover, the access to populations in need is highly challenging. This insecurity and violence environment against civilians has had serious humanitarian consequences on the population of North Mali.
An estimated 61 920 people (IOM Sep 17, 2015) are still internally displaced in Mali, two thirds of which are in the 3 northern regions. Both IDPs and host communities are in need of support, including food assistance.
(4) Neighbouring countries continue to host 141 000 Malian refugees (UNHCR Oct 31, 2015): 50 000 in Mauritania, 57 000 in Niger (54 000 plus 3 000 waiting for being registered) and 34 000 in Burkina Faso. Due to insecurity and limited access to basic services in some areas, the conditions are still not favourable for a safe, dignified and sustainable return of refugees and internally displaced people.
(5) The food security situation in Mali is critical. The results of the Cadre Harmonisé,
November 2015, estimate that during the period of June, July and August 2016, 2 098 000 persons will be food insecure (phase 2) and 294 000 in need of emergency food assistance (phase 3 to 5). The majority of the 294 000 live in the Northern regions Mopti, Tombouctou, Gao and Kidal.
(6) A critical nutrition situation with a national global malnutrition rate of 12.4 % and a severe acute malnutrition rate of 2.8 % exceeding the WHO emergency thresholds; this year, 180 000 children under five are affected by severe acute malnutrition (SMART 2015). The malnutrition rates are especially alarming in the Tombouctou regions where the severe acute malnutrition rate reaches 17.5 % and severe acute malnutrition rate 3.5%.
(7) To reach populations in need, humanitarian aid should be channelled through nongovernmental organisations, international organisations including United Nations agencies or directly by the Commission. The Commission should therefore implement the budget either by direct management or by indirect management in accordance with Articles 17 and 37 of Regulation (EU) 2015/323 together with Articles 58, 60 and 121 et seq. of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union3.
(8) For the purposes of this Decision, the three countries involved are Mali, Burkina Faso and Mauritania.
(9) Pursuant to Article 37 of Council Regulation (EU) 2015/323 and Article 130 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012, and in view of the specific nature of humanitarian aid, expenditure incurred before the date of submission of a proposal can be eligible for Union funding.
(10) The use of the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) set up by the Internal Agreement ('Internal Agreement')4 is necessary as all the funds for ACP countries in the general budget are entirely allocated.
