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EU Development Ministers met in Dublin yesterday and today to discuss aid to Mali and efforts to help communities at risk of disaster to better prepare for shocks such as floods or drought.

The Informal Meeting of Development was chaired by Trade and Developemnt Minister Joe Costello.

Former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson and the UN Secretary General’s special adviser, Amina Mohammed, contributed to the discussion on the development of a new international framework for international development after 2015, the date for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

The Ministers agreed to resume long-term development support to Mali. Up to €250 million in EU funding will be made available in 2013 to support Mali to restore democracy and peace and to ensure that vulnerable communities can access nutritious food, clean water and sanitation.

Welcoming the decision, Trade and Development Minister Joe Costello said:

The EU has provided €116 million in humanitarian aid to to meet the Malian people's most urgent needs for food, shelter and security since the start of 2012.

However, today's announcement that we are resuming long-term assistance to Mali underlines the EU's commitment to supporting the Malian people during the challenging years ahead as they work to rebuild their country and their future.

We will focus on supporting Mali on its journey to peace and democracy and on assisting the thousands of families displaced by recent conflict to access the food, nutrition and basic services they need. Under this ambitious response plan, the EU will fund programmes to prevent conflict, facilitate reconciliation and prepare for the elections which are due to be held by July under the transition roadmap adopted by the Malian authorities. We will also provide vital water and sanitation facilities and nutrition programmes, in addition to bringing forward new proposals to help relaunch the economy.

Read the full press release

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