The Community's humanitarian aid comprises assistance, relief and protection operations on a non-discriminatory basis to help people in third countries, particularly the most vulnerable among them, and as a priority those in developing countries, victims of natural disasters, man-made crises, such as wars and outbreaks of fighting, or exceptional situations or circumstances comparable to natural or man-made disasters. Such aid also comprises operations to prepare for risks or prevent disasters or comparable exceptional circumstances.
Objectives
The Humanitarian Aid Instrument will provide response to natural and man-made disasters, based on the international principles of humanitarian law, and through the use of specialised organisations.
The Humanitarian Aid Instrument will provide response to natural and man-made disasters, based on the international principles of humanitarian law, and through the use of specialised
2014-2020
Implementation:
The Commission shall decide on emergency action for an amount not in excess of ECU 10 million.
The following operations shall be deemed to necessitate emergency action:
- operations to meet immediate and unforeseeable humanitarian requirements generated by sudden natural or man-made disasters, such as floods, earthquakes and outbreaks of fighting or comparable situations,
- operations limited to the duration of the unforeseeable emergency response: the corresponding funds shall cover the response to the humanitarian needs referred to in the first indent for a period of not more than six months laid down in the decision on financing.
Where operations fulfil these conditions and are in excess of ECU 2 million:
- the Commission shall adopt its decision,
- it shall inform the Member States in writing within forty-eight hours,
- it shall account for its decision at the Committee's next meeting, in particular giving the reasons for its use of the emergency procedure.
Supported activities:
- preparatory and feasibility studies for humanitarian operations and the assessment of humanitarian projects and plans,
- operations to monitor humanitarian projects and plans,
- small-scale training schemes and general studies in the field of humanitarian operations, to be phased out gradually where funding is over several years,
- the cost of highlighting the Community nature of the aid,
- public awareness and information campaigns aimed at increasing understanding of humanitarian issues, especially in Europe and in third countries where the Community is funding major humanitarian operations,
- measures to strengthen the Community's coordination with the Member States, other donor countries, international humanitarian organizations and institutions, non-governmental organizations and organizations representing them,
- the technical assistance necessary for the implementation of humanitarian projects, including the exchange of technical know-how and experience by European humanitarian organizations and agencies or between such bodies and those of third countries,
- humanitarian mine-clearance operations, including campaigns to increase awareness of anti-personnel mines on the part of the local population.
€ 6 621 million in current prices
€6 621 million in current prices
Non-governmental organizations eligible for Community financing for the implementation of operations under this Regulation must meet the following criteria:
(a) be non-profit-making autonomous organizations in a Member State of the Community under the laws in force in that Member State;
(b) have their main headquarters in a Member State of the Community or in the third countries in receipt of Community aid. This headquarters must be the effective decision-making centre for all operations financed under this Regulation. Exceptionally, the headquarters may be in a third donor country.
Worldwide.