EU Humanitarian Aid

The European Union is the world's leading provider of humanitarian aid. This aid, which takes the form of financing, provision of goods or services, or technical assistance, aims to help prepare for and deal urgently with the crises which seriously affect populations outside the Union, whether these be natural disasters, disasters caused by human activity, or structural crises. The Union's action is based on the fundamental humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, and comprises three instruments: emergency aid, food aid, and aid for refugees and displaced persons. ECHO coordinates this action and cooperates closely with partners who implement aid on the ground, in particular the United Nations and non-governmental organisations.

IMF releases EUR 3.2 bn aid payment to Greece — 16 January 2013, 22:41 CET

The International Monetary Fund said Wednesday it would release 3.2 billion euros in aid to Greece that had been frozen for months amid fears about the country's ability to surmount its debt crisis.

EU pledges $26.6 mn to fight hunger in Haiti — 16 January 2013, 16:08 CET

The European Union has pledged $26.6 million (20 million euros) to help improve food security in Haiti, where a study found more than 1.5 million people are at high risk of going hungry.

Raunchy Bulgarian pop-folk genre gets EU aid — 15 January 2013, 22:01 CET

Bulgaria's top promoter of the region's raunchy pop-folk music genre known as "Chalga" is set to receive some one million euros in EU funding, it emerged Tuesday, sparking an outcry among parts of the cultural establishment.

EU grants Haiti fresh aid on quake anniversary — 11 January 2013, 18:48 CET

The European Union said Friday it is giving Haiti another 30.5 million euros ($40.7 million) in aid, three years after the Caribbean country was devastated by a massive earthquake.

Bulgaria hopes to use all available EU funds — 10 January 2013, 18:34 CET

Bulgaria has spent just 35 per cent of European aid money made available since it joined the bloc, but plans to use it all by a 2015 payment deadline, the minister in charge of EU funds said on Thursday.

EU to fund Djibouti desalination plant — 19 December 2012, 21:23 CET

The European Union said Wednesday it will pay for most of a combined renewable energy and water desalination plant in Djibouti, to supply some 200,000 people, a quarter of the country's population.

EU approves EUR 5.0 bn financial aid package to Egypt — 14 November 2012, 19:10 CET

The European Union has approved a 5.0 billion euro financial aid package to Egypt after its economy was battered by a 2011 uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak, the EU and Egypt said on Wednesday.

EU suspends Afghan aid over reform failure — 12 November 2012, 18:09 CET

The European Union announced Monday that it is suspending 20 million euros in aid for Afghanistan, warning that cash will be increasingly conditional on the government sticking to agreed reforms.

EU hands Liberia EUR 42m to cut maternal mortality — 08 November 2012, 22:16 CET

The European Commission on Thursday pledged 42 million euros to Liberia's president and Nobel peace laureate Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to help halve one of the world's highest maternal mortality rates.

EU offers EUR 6m to help Caribbean after Sandy — 08 November 2012, 13:19 CET

The European Commission offered six million euros Thursday to help Caribbean countries devastated by Hurricane Sandy which caused massive damage and heavy loss of life.

EU urges end to Myanmar unrest, pledges aid — 04 November 2012, 14:52 CET

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has called for an end to communal killings in Myanmar following talks with President Thein Sein, while pledging aid to the former pariah state.

Brazil, Gulf states, Malaysia, Russia lose EU trade benefits — 31 October 2012, 23:43 CET

A score of high-income nations such as Brazil, Russia and the Gulf states lost their privileged access to the EU's 500 million consumers on Wednesday as the bloc handed their benefits to poorer states.

EU auditors says Kosovo aid 'not sufficiently effective' — 30 October 2012, 19:15 CET

European Union aid for Kosovo, including its rule of law mission, "has not been sufficiently effective" in boosting democratic standards and battling crime and corruption, says the European Court of Auditors.

IMF releases EUR 1.5 bn loan tranche to Portugal — 24 October 2012, 22:22 CET

The International Monetary Fund released Wednesday a 1.5 billion euro loan instalment to Portugal, after a review of its progress under a bailout program.

Bulgarian lawmaker sentenced a second time for corruption — 19 October 2012, 18:35 CET

A Bulgarian opposition lawmaker was handed his second jail sentence for corruption in just a year, Sofia's city court announced on Friday.

Simple stove brings safety, income for Darfur women — 19 October 2012, 13:16 CET

Collecting firewood for cooking puts women in Sudan's conflict-plagued and impoverished Darfur region at risk of rape.

EU says private sector is key player in development aid — 16 October 2012, 16:27 CET

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso vowed Tuesday that Europe would maintain its place as the world's top provider of development aid as he urged the private sector to do more to help.

EU grants Pakistan flood, unrest aid — 27 September 2012, 19:12 CET

The European Commission said Thursday it will release another 15 million euros in aid ($19 million) to Pakistan where tens of thousands of people are affected by flood and unrest.

Aid groups need more access inside Syria — 27 September 2012, 11:23 CET

Aid groups in Syria need better access to people ravaged by the war between government forces and the rebels who are fighting to topple President Bashar al-Assad, the EU said on Wednesday.

Spain's Rajoy says will seek bailout if debt rates stay high — 26 September 2012, 15:43 CET

Spain will seek a full state bailout if its borrowing rates were to stay at unsustainable levels, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy told the Wall Street Journal in an interview published on Wednesday.

France offers EUR 150m loan to help Jordan budget — 24 September 2012, 19:18 CET

The French Development Agency inked a deal with the Jordanian government on Monday to provide the kingdom with a soft loan of 150 million euros ($193 million) to support its battered budget.

EU launches 'peace corps' — 19 September 2012, 19:28 CET

The European Commission has announced the launch of a giant European 'peace corps' of 10,000 volunteers for worldwide humanitarian operations from 2014 to 2020.

EU offers Italy EUR 670m in quake aid — 19 September 2012, 15:02 CET

The European Commission offered Wednesday 670 million euros to help reconstruction efforts after two powerful earthquakes in northern Italy caused loss of life and massive damage.

EU aid boosts Bulgaria growth, employment: minister — 18 September 2012, 17:30 CET

EU aid money has helped Bulgaria boost economic growth, lower unemployment and increase salaries, the government said Tuesday, forecasting further benefits to the economy by 2015.

EU hands extra EUR 100m in aid to Palestinians — 14 September 2012, 23:37 CET

The European Commission on Friday announced an extra 100 million euros in aid for water, sanitation, and refugees in the Palestinian territories.