Resolution on the recent earthquake in Haiti

2010/2518(RSP)

The Council, convened by the High Representative in an extraordinary session, expressed its condolences and solidarity to the people of Haiti for the massive loss of life and devastation caused by the earthquake on 12 January. It paid tribute to the work of Haitian authorities and relief organisations and commended the rapid global response to this crisis.

The Council also welcomes the European Commission’s preliminary commitment of a total of EUR 30 million in humanitarian assistance, and by Member States who have preliminarily committed a further EUR 92 million. It also welcomes that for early non-humanitarian assistance, focusing notably on restoration of government capabilities, the preliminary financial contribution from the EU instruments amounts to EUR 100 million. Lastly, it welcomes the proposal of the Commission to dispatch a joint team of EU experts to assess the most pressing needs, notably to support the capacity of the Haitian authorities. With regard to possible contributions from the Member States, the Council will revert to the issue at its next meeting on 25 January 2010.

The Council calls for, in due course and after post emergency needs have been fully assessed, an international conference to be organised. In this regard, the Council requests that an EU-wide response to the post-emergency rehabilitation, recovery and reconstruction for long-term development needs of Haiti be submitted as soon as possible, which makes full use of all resources, expertise and funding available from EU and Member States, takes into account Member States' contributions to multilateral bodies and clearly addresses division of labour among the EU institutions and Member States.

The Council takes note that the preliminary indications from the Commission on the financial contribution from the EU instruments to finance the longer-term response will amount to EUR 200 million. The greatest possible synergies between all components of the response in the short term and in the medium to long term must be ensured.