Ten new measures adopted to improve stability and tackle

European Commission - Fact Sheet
Ten new measures adopted to improve stability and tackle the root causes of
irregular migration and displaced persons in Africa
Brussels, 14 January 2016
The European Commission today announced the introduction of 10 measures in the Sahel
region, worth more than EUR 100 million in total.
The European Commission today announced the adoption of 10 measures to assist the Sahel region
under the ‘ Emergency Trust Fund for Africa for stability and addressing root causes of irregular
migration and displaced persons in Africa’.
These measures, worth more than EUR 100 million in total, were adopted following the Valletta
Summit. They correspond to actions that the EU and its African partners undertook to implement by
the end of 2016 in the joint Action Plan adopted at the Summit. After the Trust Fund was set up in
record time, the measures demonstrate the determination of the European Commission and the
members of the Operating Committee to provide a swift response to the challenges facing
African partners in the region.
Summary of measures to be adopted immediately
At regional level:
- Support for regional cooperation in G5 countries and the Sahel Security College
(EUR 7 million). The project will help strengthen security in the Sahel region by supporting
regional cooperation between the G5 countries (Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Chad). It
will allow the Sahel Security College to implement training activities while providing a forum for
joint reflection in the fight against terrorism, organised crime and human trafficking in the region.
At national level:
Niger: These initial measures focus on the country's largest transit region, Agadez, as part of an
overall approach combining development and migration. This approach will help ensure better
management of migratory flows passing through the region whilst supporting local authorities and
creating job opportunities for young people. The two projects proposed include priority actions in all
areas of the Valletta Action Plan, including that relating to the return, readmission and reintegration of
migrants.
- Response mechanism and resources for migrants (EUR 7 million). This project aims to
support Niger's response to the complex migratory flows passing through its territory, for example
by promoting economic and social development through circular migration. Efficient and
sustainable alternatives to irregular migration will be proposed.
- Project to support local development and governance for better management of
migratory flows (EUR 25 million). This project aims to help local authorities deal with the
impact of an influx of migrants. It will assist with the development of several observatories for
identifying, understanding and analysing the consequences of migratory flows in order to
implement the necessary responses to the specific needs of indigenous peoples, transiting or
returning migrants and refugees.
Mali: The Commission aims to help implement the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation through
resilience initiatives for the most vulnerable populations in the north of the country, and address
migration issues in areas of origin through job creation and economic opportunities. These projects
correspond to actions that the EU undertook to implement by the end of 2016 under the Valletta Action
Plan.
- Project to support peace agreements through resilience and access to basic services in
the northern regions (EUR 20 million). This project aims to enhance the resilience of people
most vulnerable to food and nutrition insecurity in northern Mali.
- Project to support peace agreements through economic regeneration and assistance for
local authorities in northern Mali (EUR 10 million). This project aims to further stabilise
targeted post-conflict areas by helping to stimulate the local economy and improve the services
provided by local authorities. The project targets 18 municipalities in the regions of Gao and
Timbuktu.Job creation by improving the cashew nut sector to alleviate the causes of
emigration (EUR 13.5 million). This project aims to expand economic and employment
opportunities in the regions of Kayes, Sikasso and Koulikoro by improving the production,
processing and marketing of the cashew nut, in order to alleviate the causes of emigration. It will
directly and indirectly benefit some 80 000 people.
Senegal: There are also proposals to fund priority initiatives under the Valletta Action Plan in support
of the resilience of the most vulnerable people in migrant departure (and potential return) areas and
the normalisation of the living conditions of people directly affected by the conflict in Casamance.
- Resilience of people most vulnerable to food and nutrition crises in departure areas
(EUR 8 million). This project aims to improve the resilience of local populations and access to
basic services with an emphasis on the most vulnerable people in the departure areas of Podor,
Ranérou, Matam and Kanel by improving living conditions to prevent irregular migration. It will
directly benefit more than 100 000 people.
- Project to enhance food and nutrition security in the Matam region, which is a migrant
departure area (EUR 1.1 million). This project aims to improve access to, and the availability
and diversity of food in rural areas in the Matam region while developing the knowledge and good
nutritional practices of people and stakeholders in the area.
- Normalisation of the living conditions of people directly affected by the conflict
in Casamance (EUR 4.5 million). This project aims to cover the basic needs of the most
vulnerable people through income-generating activities such as the diversification and
improvement of agricultural production. It also aims to protect their health by ensuring easy
access to clean water and adequate sanitation and hygiene.
A technical facility worth EUR 5 million will also be put forward so that studies conducted can
identify, formulate, monitor/evaluate and communicate activities.
For more information:
IP/16/68: New measures proposed to improve stability and tackle the root causes of irregular
migration and displaced persons in Africa
MEMO/16/69
Press contacts:
Alexandre POLACK (+32 2 299 06 77)
Sharon ZARB (+ 32 2 29 92256)
General public inquiries: Europe Direct by phone 00 800 67 89 10 11 or by email