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.

Romania expects freeze of EU aid payments — 21 May 2012, 13:33 CET

Romania is expecting the European Commission to freeze funding for human resources development programmes amid concerns of irregularities, the government said Monday.

EU hands extra EUR 20m to Pakistan flood victims — 30 April 2012, 15:59 CET

Brussels on Monday announced a further 20 million euros in aid to victims of Pakistan's 2011 monsoon floods, as well as people displaced by conflict, bringing funding this year to 55 million euros.

Half of EU aid helps middle-income nations: British report — 27 April 2012, 10:57 CET

British lawmakers called for tougher standards on the distribution of Europe's development aid budget after a report released on Friday revealed more than half went to "middle-income" countries.

EU pledges extra funds for energy in developing nations — 17 April 2012, 15:08 CET

The European Union vowed fresh funds Monday to help developing nations provide sustainable energy to 500 million people by 2030.

Malawi's Banda moves to reconcile with donors — 10 April 2012, 18:52 CET

New Malawian President Joyce Banda on Tuesday asked Britain and the United States to resume funding as she moved to heal breaches created by the late president Bingu wa Mutharika.

EU to resume some frozen aid payments to Romania — 03 April 2012, 18:21 CET

The European Commission will resume funding of human resources development programmes in Romania frozen since February amid concerns over irregularities, the Romanian government said Tuesday.

Commission suspends Mali development aid after coup — 23 March 2012, 13:50 CET

The European Commission decided Friday to temporarily suspend development operations in Mali after a military coup as EU foreign ministers called for the return of civilian rule.

Palestinians urge donors to cough up promised funds — 22 March 2012, 14:01 CET

Palestinian premier Salam Fayyad on Thursday urged donors to hastily provide promised funds to help the Palestinian Authority weather a financial crisis.

EU helps cash-strapped Palestinians upgrade Gaza crossing — 19 March 2012, 22:10 CET

The EU signed Monday a 35-million-euro deal with the cash-strapped Palestinian Authority to build a waste-water treatment plant in the West Bank and upgrade a vital Gaza border crossing.

Asia flood victims win extra EUR 11m in EU aid — 12 March 2012, 16:21 CET

Victims of last year's devastating floods in Southeast Asia will receive an extra 11 million euros in EU aid to help recovery and rehabilitation, the European Commission said Monday.

EU offers Haiti another EUR 100m in aid — 08 March 2012, 10:07 CET

EU Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs on Wednesday wrapped up a visit to Haiti, during which the European Union offered the quake-hit Caribbean nation another 100 million euros in aid.

Russia should recognize need for new Syria leadership: EU — 05 March 2012, 17:05 CET

The European Union on Monday urged more international action on getting humanitarian aid into Syria and called for Russia to recognize the need for new Syrian leadership.

EU halts part of its aid to Romania — 21 February 2012, 19:27 CET

The European Commission has frozen funding to Romania aimed at developing human resources amid concerns over irregularities, a Romanian government spokesman said on Tuesday.

UN aid chiefs call for $725 million for drought-hit Sahel — 15 February 2012, 15:52 CET

United Nations and European Union aid chiefs called Wednesday for "urgent" assistance for West Africa's drought-hit Sahel region, saying it needed $725 million (552 million euros) this year.

UN aid chiefs call for $725 million for drought-hit Sahel — 15 February 2012, 14:42 CET

United Nations aid chiefs meeting in Rome on Wednesday said the drought-stricken Sahel region of West Africa needed $725 million (552 million euros) this year, warning the situation was "urgent".

EU aid official to visit Myanmar ahead of 'crucial' polls — 09 February 2012, 14:42 CET

Myanmar's upcoming elections will be crucial for the credibility of reforms that remain "fragile," the EU's foreign aid chief told AFP ahead of a trip to offer 150 million euros in aid.

First EU official off to Myanmar ahead of 'crucial' polls — 09 February 2012, 09:19 CET

Myanmar's upcoming elections will be crucial for the credibility of reforms that remain "fragile," the EU's foreign aid chief told AFP ahead of a trip to offer 150 million euros to the country.

Bill Gates calls on EU to maintain aid to world's poor — 24 January 2012, 22:46 CET

Microsoft founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates on Tuesday told Euro-MPs in Brussels not to cut aid to poor countries despite the economic and budgetary problems facing EU countries.

EU wants end to Sudan fighting, seeks aid access — 24 January 2012, 20:22 CET

The European Union has called for an immediate end to fighting in two Sudanese states bordering South Sudan, and urged unhindered access for relief workers.

World Bank, EIB to help Bulgaria use EU funds — 22 January 2012, 22:59 CET

World Bank and European Investment Bank experts will help Bulgaria make better use of European aid funds, the government said Sunday, as it signed memorandums of understandings with the two institutions.

EU doubles Sahel humanitarian aid to EUR 95m — 18 January 2012, 21:53 CET

The EU said Wednesday it is doubling humanitarian aid to Africa's Sahel area to 95 million euros in a "race against time" to lift two million people facing food shortages out of danger.

Bulgaria seeks to double use of EU funds in 2012 — 13 January 2012, 16:43 CET

EU's poorest newcomer Bulgaria managed to make use of just 20 per cent of its European aid funds last year but aims to double that in 2012, says EU Funds Management Minister Tomislav Donchev.

EU offers further 3 mln euros in aid to Haiti — 24 December 2011, 00:16 CET

The European Commission on Friday allocated a further three million euros ($3.9 million) to help Haiti address continuing problems caused by the earthquake that devastated the country in January 2010.

Russian aid convoy passes disputed Kosovo crossing — 16 December 2011, 12:22 CET

A convoy of Russian aid destined for ethnic Serbs was allowed to enter northern Kosovo on Friday after being blocked at a disputed border crossing for the last three days.

Russian aid convoy blocked on disputed Kosovo crossing — 14 December 2011, 19:18 CET

A convoy of Russian aid sent to Kosovo Serbs has been blocked at the disputed crossing point of Jarinje which links Kosovo to Serbia, angering the Russian embassy on Wednesday.