EU gives Moldova over 3 million euros to mitigate drought consequences

The European Commission will provide Moldova with 50 million lei (3.15 million euros) to mitigate the consequences of this year's drought.

European Commissioner on International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Reaction Kristalina Georgieva made the announcement at a news conference given jointly with Moldovan Prime Minister Vlad Filat in Chisinau on September 17.

Georgieva said that this financial assistance is meant to back farmers affected by drought. The proceeds will be earmarked next month.

Filat thanked the European commissioner for the support and mentioned that the worst hit farmers shall benefit from it. «The actions to be taken will be aimed at purchasing fodder worth 12 million lei. In addition, 200 lei in subsidies will be offered for each hectare of farmland sowed with wheat. When the budget is approved we will decide on an increase in the fund of subsidies for agriculture,» Filat said.

The farming sector incurred losses of 3 billion lei (about 190 mln. euros) last summer because of drought. The worst hit are the southern districts Cahul, Cantemir, Causeni, Taraclia and Gagauzia.

Adapted from Moldpres