EuropaWorld 13/4/2001 The European Community Humanitarian Aid Office

The European Union is one of the world's main aid donors, currently responsible for around 30 per cent of global humanitarian aid from its own budgets.

Its remit in this field has expanded substantially in recent year as the European Union has responded to an increasing prevalence of natural and man-made disasters around the world. In 1992 the European Community Humanitarian Aid Office, more commonly known by its acronym, ECHO, was established.

The European Union's mandate to ECHO is to provide emergency assistance and relief to the victims of natural disasters or armed conflict. The aid is intended to go directly to those in distress, irrespective of race, religion or political convictions. One of ECHO's main tasks in practice is to ensure the swift and safe delivery of supplies to crisis zones. This may include foodstuffs, medical equipment, medicines and fuel. It may also include delivering specifically trained personnel such as medical teams, water purification teams and logistical support. ECHO's assistance is deployed via partners in the field - experienced agencies that can deliver optimum service and support to those in need. ECHO's partners include humanitarian agencies of the United Nations, non-governmental organisations and other international bodies. Since 1992, ECHO has funded humanitarian aid in more than 85 countries including 30 conflict zones around the world.

In addition to funding humanitarian aid ECHO also undertakes a number of other activities to enhance awareness and efficacy of global development. The office provides specialist training and technical assistance to countries wishing to strengthen disaster-prevention measures and co-ordinates pilot micro-projects in this field. ECHO also carries out feasibility studies for its humanitarian operations and provides monitoring and co-ordination for ongoing projects. Finally the office seeks to raise public awareness of humanitarian issues and to promote understanding of the role of international co-operation through information and education.

Although the levels of aid provided by ECHO were originally modest at the outset, they rose rapidly and are now comparable to the levels of humanitarian aid provided by the United States. In addition, member states own bilateral assistance increases this European total substantially. Since its creation, the Office has successfully managed more than EUR 5 billion. Last year alone, its grants covered emergency aid, food aid and aid to refugees and displaced persons worth a total of almost EUR 485 million. Reforms recently instituted will ensure a faster and more accountable aid delivery.

ECHO receives its funds from two sources: the general EC budget and the European Development Fund.
In exceptional circumstances however, additional funds can be released by mobilising the Commission's reserve for emergency aid. This allows ECHO to respond promptly to crisis situations that could not have been foreseen when the budget was drawn up.

ECHO, like all Commission departments, is accountable to the European Parliament and the European Council, notably through annual reports detailing its activities. Its budget management is also subject to ongoing auditing by the Court of Auditors. Every year, Parliament is also invited to give its opinion on the discharge of past budgets.

ECHO falls under the direct responsibility of the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Poul Nielson, who is also responsible for development policy. (See Extraordinary Lives).

More information about ECHO can be found on the Europa website at http://europa.eu.int/comm/echo/en/present/about2.htm