The full implementation of this version of the HIP is subject to the adoption of the decision amending Decision C(2016) 8795
AMOUNT: EUR 20 000 000
The present Humanitarian Implementation Plan (HIP) was prepared on the basis of financing decision ECHO/WWD/BUD/2017/01000 (Worldwide Decision) and the related General Guidelines for Operational Priorities on Humanitarian Aid (Operational Priorities). The purpose of the HIP and its annex is to serve as a communication tool for ECHO's partners and to assist in the preparation of their proposals. The provisions of the Worldwide Decision and the General Conditions of the Agreement with the European Commission shall take precedence over the provisions in this document.
0. MAJOR CHANGES SINCE PREVIOUS VERSION OF THE HIP
14 July 2017 – Modification N°2
The armed conflict in Libya has disrupted commercial supply routes, limiting the availability of food and significantly increasing prices. The loss of livelihoods has resulted in a reduction in household income, with many families unable to meet their food needs or having to reduce their health expenditures to feed themselves. Emergency support can be provided to different strata of vulnerable conflict-affected populations (including returnees), in line with evolving access. Overall it is estimated that 1.3 million people – i.e. 19% of the Libyan population - require humanitarian assistance. An additional allocation of EUR 5 million is therefore considered necessary to help further address gaps in the coverage of urgent needs, for instance health care and essential medicines, food assistance, water, sanitation and hygiene.
June 2017 – Modification N°1
Continued violence and instability seriously affect vulnerable populations in Libya. The country is also suffering from an economic downturn that has brought a liquidity crisis with rapid inflation and strong depreciation of the Libyan dinar. Public services are very limited in most parts of the country, local infrastructure has significantly deteriorated and livelihoods have been severely impacted. The conflict-affected populations' ability to meet their basic needs has been drastically reduced. Health remains the sector with the biggest needs. The health care system has largely collapsed, with 60% of health infrastructure not or only partially functioning, a significant deficit in medicine and medical equipment and lack of human resources. Given the highly volatile security context, access of humanitarian actors remains a challenge. In view of the increase in humanitarian needs, an additional allocation of EUR 3 million is considered necessary to help meet the basic needs of vulnerable conflict-affected populations in Libya, notably in the health sector. Support to other sectors, including to coordination and facilitation of humanitarian access may also be envisaged.
1. CONTEXT
The HIP 2017 for North Africa focuses largely on two political and protracted crises: the decade-old Sahrawi refugee crisis in Algeria and the more recent Libya crisis. A response could be foreseen for potential spill-over of these crises to other countries in North Africa. This HIP may also respond to sudden or slow-onset new emergencies in Algeria, Libya, Morocco or Tunisia, if important unmet humanitarian needs emerge. Disaster risk reduction (DRR) priorities will also be addressed, with a specific focus on the Sahrawi refugee crisis and Tunisia, including possible regional exchanges.
1.1 – Algeria: Since 1975, Morocco and the Polisario Front have fought for the control over Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony. The Polisario claims to represent the aspirations of the Western Sahara inhabitants for independence, while Morocco's claim dates back to its own independence in 1956, and is based on an offer for a large autonomy. In 1975, Algeria allowed the set-up of refugee camps near Tindouf, in Southwest Algeria. Hostilities between Morocco and the Polisario Front ended in 1991, when a ceasefire brokered by the UN was implemented. Security Council Resolution 690(1991) established the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) with the mandate to organise a referendum to allow the people of Western Sahara to choose between independence and integration with Morocco. MINURSO continues to advocate for a just and lasting solution. Gathered in five camps (Ausserd,
Boujdour, Dakhla, Laayoune, and Smara) in the Sahara Desert, the Sahrawi refugees are largely dependent on external humanitarian assistance. Their prospect for self-reliance is limited as opportunities for income-generating activities are scarce.
Algeria ranks 83 on UNDP Human Development Index. Its overall INFORM Vulnerability Index is 3.3/10, Hazard and Exposure 5.5/10, Lack of Coping Capacity 4.8/10. The country has an INFORM Crisis Index of 2/3, resulting from a Conflict Intensity score of 2/3, Uprooted People of 0/3 and People affected by Natural Disaster of 0/3. Algeria has a total population of approximately 39 million.
The vulnerability of the population affected by the Sahrawi crisis is assessed to be high.
The Sahrawi crisis is identified as a Forgotten Crisis by ECHO.