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The EU budget helps saving lives in crisis context

In a nutshell

The EU budget helps saving lives by protecting public health in Europe and globally. As a follow-up to a disaster or humanitarian emergency, the EU can provide assistance to the affected countries and populations.

Any country in the world that is overwhelmed by an emergency, can call on the EU Civil Protection Mechanism for help. Disaster preparedness is an integral part of the EU’s humanitarian response, contributing to the EU’s long-term disaster risk reduction agenda.

Emergency assistance after the earthquake in Turkey and Syria

The role of the EU budget

The EU budget supports the EU-funded civil protection and humanitarian aid operations (ECHO) with around EUR 1.65 billion per year. The operations cover a variety of sectors, including civil protection, food security, healthcare, shelter and education in emergencies, but also other protection services, including against gender-based violence. Aid is provided based on the four fundamental humanitarian principles: humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence.

EU's initial Humanitarian aid for 2023

Source: Funding for humanitarian aid (europa.eu)

In addition, the flexibility instruments called Solidarity and Emergency Aid Reserve (SEAR), with a maximum annual amount of EUR 1.2 billion can be used to help tackling emergency situations due to major natural disasters or public health crises in Member States and accession countries. Moreover, it can also help non-EU countries with emerging needs stemming from conflicts, the global refugee crisis or worsening natural disasters due to climate change. The aid from this instrument is used to rebuild basic infrastructure, fund emergency services, temporary accommodation or clean-up operations, or counter immediate health risks.

 

More details – results achieved

  • The humanitarian assistance funded by the EU is delivered in partnership with UN agencies, international organisations and NGOs. A large network of Commission's humanitarian experts in over 40 countries worldwide enables close monitoring of crisis situations and relief operations.
  • To guarantee an even more effective response to disasters, the rescEU reserve add an additional layer of protection. It includes a fleet of firefighting planes and helicopters, medical evacuation planes, and a stockpile of medical items and field hospitals that can respond to health emergencies.
  • Check our stories per topic here and per country here. You can also listen to our #EUSolidarity Talks or check the news section.