EU Humanitarian Aid

Based on international humanitarian principles and as set out in the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid, the EU provides needs-based humanitarian assistance with particular attention to the most vulnerable victims. Aid is channelled impartially to the affected populations, regardless of their race, ethnic group, religion, gender, age, nationality or political affiliation. The EU provides remedy to all major crises zones around the world including Syria, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic, as well as countries facing post-conflict instability, such as Côte d’Ivoire. The EU also plays a crucial role in assisting and raising awareness of "forgotten crises" – often protracted crises which escaped the media and international community's attention. Recently, the EU has been instrumental to focus attention on the dramatic situation in the Central African Republic. EU humanitarian aid covers areas such as: food and nutrition, shelter, healthcare, water and sanitation, and others. Aid, funded by the EU, is carried out in partnership with international organisations and humanitarian NGOs.

EU pledges further EUR 30m to support Lebanon

At Monday's international conference on aid for Lebanon, the EU Commission pledged new funding worth EUR 30m to help address the immediate needs of those affected by the deadly explosion in Beirut.

EU provides coronavirus aid to Yemen, as famine looms

The EU will provide funding of EUR 70 million in Yemen, the Commission said Wednesday, as the coronavirus threatens to worsen one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, where famine already looms.

EUR 2 billion to reinforce EU's crisis response capability

The EU Commission proposed Tuesday to give the EU the capability to react more swiftly when a serious cross-border emergency such as the coronavirus strikes and affects EU countries at the same time.

rescEU and Humanitarian Aid under the new MFF

The Commission proposed on 2 June to give the European Union the tools to react more quickly when a serious cross-border emergency such as the coronavirus strikes and affects EU countries at the same time.

RescEU - EU Civil Protection Mechanism

The overall objective of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism is to strengthen cooperation between the EU Member States and 6 Participating States in the field of civil protection, with a view to improve prevention, preparedness and response to disasters. When the scale of an emergency overwhelms the response capabilities of a country, it can request assistance via the Mechanism. Through the Mechanism, the European Commission plays a key role in coordinating the response to disasters in Europe and beyond and contributes to at least 75% of the transport and/or operational costs of deployments.

EU firefighting fleet launched for next forest fire season

To prepare for the risk of forest fires during the upcoming summer, the Commission is launching today the first fleet of firefighting aircraft under the new rescEU system to tackle natural disasters.

Increase in EU spending on education in emergencies

The EU Commission adopted Friday a new policy framework to increase humanitarian funding for education in emergencies and crises to 10% of its overall humanitarian aid budget as of 2019.

Concern over decrease in EU's development aid

A decline in development aid from the EU and its Member States is linked to an 80 per cent reduction in debt relief operations and a decrease in in-donor refugee costs, the EU Commission said Tuesday.

rescEU: EU disaster management

The European Commission has tabled a set of proposals to strengthen the EU's civil protection response and boost Europe's ability to better deal with natural disasters. The proposal establishes a dedicated reserve of operational capacities at Union level – rescEU – and strengthens preparedness and prevention measures. Concretely, it focuses on two key areas: creating the rescEU system to increase overall disaster response capacities available in the EU and investing more in prevention and preparedness.

The EU and the crisis in Syria

EU response to the Syrian crisis The war in Syria, one of the worst humanitarian crises the world has faced since World War II, continues to have devastating and tragic consequences for its people. It is also having an increasingly destabilising impact on the wider region, through the displacement of people, the spread of terrorism, the exacerbation of political and sectarian differences.

EUR 83m to improve conditions for refugees in Greece

The European Commission has announced EUR 83 million to improve living conditions for refugees in Greece, with funding made available immediately to the UNHCR, the International Federation of the Red Cross and six international NGOs.

EU boosts aid to Ethiopia after worst ever El Nino

The European Commission has announced aid for Ethiopia worth some EUR 122.5 million, amidst a worsening humanitarian situation caused by one of the most severe extreme El Nino weather phenomenon on record.

EU aid for children's education in conflict zones

The European Commission announced on Tuesday a EUR 52 million humanitarian aid package aimed at educational projects for children caught up in conflict zones and other emergencies in 2016.

World Humanitarian Summit: EU sets out plan

The European Commission has adopted the Communication 'Towards the World Humanitarian Summit – A global partnership for principled and effective humanitarian action'.

New European Neighbourhood Policy - guide

Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Commission Vice-President and Štefan Füle, EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy, today launched a new and ambitious European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) -- confirming the EU’s determined and reinforced engagement with its neighbours.

Humanitarian aid

Humanitarian aid and civil protection - call for proposals

European disaster response - guide

The communication adopted by the European Commission represents a first step towards the development of a reinforced EU disaster response capacity, both in terms of civil protection and humanitarian assistance. These are the two instruments used by the EU to deliver relief assistance to people affected by disasters. The creation of a European Emergency Response Capacity, based on Member States' assets, and the development of a European Emergency Response Centre, are proposed as the cornerstones of strategy to strengthen the EU disaster response system. It will provide the basis for an improved EU disaster management system which is more effective and efficient (in terms of rapidity of deployment and appropriateness of action), coherent (operational and political coordination) and visible.

EC greenlights aid for UK farmers

The European Commission has authorised a temporary scheme granting aid of up to EUR 15,000 to British farmers.

Promotion of compliance with international humanitarian law: Guidelines

The European Union sets out guidelines with a view to promoting compliance with international humanitarian law in its relations with third countries.

Financing for Development

The 2002 Monterrey Consensus is the partnership between developed and developing countries to find ways of financing development that will meet the Millennium Development Goals. The EU, which provides over half of all official development assistance worldwide, made a number of commitments to achieve this consensus.

The European Consensus on Development

The European Consensus on Development 2005 is a policy statement that reflects the EU's willingness to eradicate poverty and build a more stable and equitable world.

EU Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC)

The Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC), operated by the European Commission in Brussels, is the operational heart of the Community Mechanism for Civil Protection. It is available on a 24/7 basis and is staffed by duty officers working on a shift basis. It gives countries access to the community civil protection platform. Any country affected by a major disaster – inside or outside the EU – can launch a request for assistance through the MIC.

EU Humanitarian Aid: Frequently asked questions

The European Commission on 13 June 2007 adopted a Communication paving the way for greater efficiency and coherence in delivering humanitarian aid. The Commission is calling for the European Union to work more closely together on a consensus that would boost its collective response to humanitarian crises. This includes advocating full respect for international humanitarian law, so that aid and aid workers can reach people in need.