Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council. Annual report on the European Union’s humanitarian aid and civil protection policies and their implementation in 2012

When disaster strikes, relief is needed fast. Timely intervention by the international community can make the difference between life and death. The European Union (EU) and its Member States collectively provide more than half the funding required for emergency relief to victims of man-made and natural disasters throughout the world and actively promote respect for international humanitarian law.

This Annual Report outlines the main policy achievements and activities of the European Commission in the field of humanitarian aid, carried out principally through its Directorate-General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO) during 2012. While it does not describe in detail all the work and actions undertaken, it does present the ‘headline’ activities and developments of general interest.

Since 2010 ECHO’s mandate has encompassed both humanitarian assistance and civil protection. These are the two main mechanisms through which the European Union can ensure rapid and effective delivery of relief assistance to people faced with the immediate consequences of disasters.

EU humanitarian aid provides relief assistance to people in need outside the EU. It often throws a lifeline to those who are faced with the immediate consequences of disasters. The EU’s mandate under the Humanitarian Aid Regulation is to save and preserve life. Its role is also to prevent or reduce suffering and safeguard the integrity and dignity of individuals by providing relief and protection at times of humanitarian crises. The Commission also facilitates coordination with and among the EU Member States on humanitarian action and policy.

The overall priority is to ensure that the aid is managed in the most efficient way possible, thus guaranteeing that the assistance the EU delivers to people in need has the maximum effect and respects the principles of international law. The EU upholds at all times the humanitarian principles of impartiality, neutrality, humanity and independence.

The EU’s other main tool for providing help is civil protection. The Commission, through ECHO, strives to encourage and facilitate cooperation between the 32 states participating in the Civil Protection Mechanism in order to improve the prevention of and protection against natural, technological or man-made disasters, both inside and outside Europe.

EUR-Lex: COM(2013)658: Follow the progress of this report through the decision-making procedure http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/HIS/?uri=COM:2013:658:FIN

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