Kaljurand thanks providers of humanitarian aid on World Humanitarian Day
In remarks issued on the occasion of the World Humanitarian Day (WHD), Foreign Minister Marina Kaljurand (independent) gave credit to the people and the organizations connected with the provision of humanitarian aid.
“In today's difficult situation the number of people in need of help is growing, and we cannot ignore this – helping those in need is our common moral duty. We must do everything for humanitarian aid to reach everyone who needs it,” the minister said according to spokespeople.
“Today is the right time to remember everyone who helps alleviate humanitarian crises and to recognize the work done by them,” Kaljurand said.
Estonia’s humanitarian aid projects concentrate on Ukraine in 2016, along with the close neighborhood of Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq. Estonia also contributes through international aid organizations to alleviating the situation of Syrian refugees in Turkey.
Beyond these efforts, Estonia provided aid to Nepal last year following an earthquake, to the Pacific states of Vanuatu and Tuvalu after a severe storm, and to Ethiopia to help the country deal with the drought caused by El Niño.
Experts of the Estonian disaster relief team also took part in missions to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus in Sierra Leone, and helped alleviate the consequences of a tropical storm in Oman and Yemen.
The size of Estonia's humanitarian aid budget for 2016 is €3.2m. Between 2011 and 2015, more than €10m was allocated for humanitarian aid from the budget of the Foreign Ministry.
The ministry’s main domestic partners for the provision of humanitarian aid are the Rescue Board, the Health Board, the Academy of Security Sciences, Mondo, Pagulasabi, and Ukraina Kultuurikeskus (Center for Ukrainian Culture).
Editor: Editor: Dario Cavegn
Source: BNS