Humanitarian aid
The EU and its 27 member states together are the leading donor of humanitarian aid to populations affected by disasters around the globe. EU assistance aims to save lives, prevent and alleviate human suffering, and maintain human dignity.
Helping the most vulnerable
The EU provides humanitarian assistance to people in need in non-EU countries who have been hit by human-induced or natural disasters. Particular attention is paid to the most vulnerable victims.
People in need of humanitarian aid include:
- populations facing malnutrition and famine
- refugees and internally displaced persons
- victims of armed conflict and other forms of physical or psychological violence
- people whose homes or livelihoods have been destroyed
Examples of human-made and natural disasters are armed conflicts, civil unrest, droughts, floods, earthquakes, tsunamis and hurricanes.
Unprecedented humanitarian crises
According to the United Nations, today's unprecedented humanitarian needs are driven primarily by a combination of entrenched armed conflict, accelerating climate change and global economic instability. These crises increasingly overlap with one another, creating 'complex emergencies', where disasters, war and poverty amplify each other.
In 2026, 239 million people need urgent humanitarian assistance, following a 2025 marked by severe cuts to humanitarian operations and a record number of deadly attacks against aid workers.
Wars, in Sudan, Gaza and Ukraine, among other places, are displacing millions and causing civilian casualties. By mid-2025, more than 117 million people throughout the world had been forcibly displaced, with rampant violations of international humanitarian law.
The leading donor of humanitarian aid
Humanitarian aid is a fundamental component of the EU's external policy, an expression of the universal value of solidarity between people, and a moral imperative.
The EU and its 27 member states together are the world's leading donor of humanitarian aid. According to UN data, they provided 40% of global humanitarian assistance in 2025.
Humanitarian aid is a shared competence between the EU and its member states, as set out in Article 4(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Each member state decides how much funding it wants to provide, in response to which crises, and to which humanitarian organisation or fund.
The EU complements and reinforces member states' efforts through its budget. The EU's long-term budget for 2021-2027 includes a dedicated line for humanitarian aid, with a total of €11.57 billion allocated for the seven-year period or around €1.65 billion per year. The EU's 2025 budget for humanitarian aid amounts to €1.9 billion.
The EU has been providing humanitarian aid since 1992, in over 110 countries, reaching millions of people across the globe each year.
The EU is currently delivering humanitarian aid in all major areas hit by crises, including Gaza, Syria, Sudan, South Sudan, Ukraine, Sahel, Yemen, Myanmar/Burma, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan and Haiti.
Civil protection assistance
In the most vulnerable regions of the world, EU humanitarian aid typically goes hand in hand with civil protection assistance. Experts in both fields work closely together to ensure the most coherent and effective response.
The EU's civil protection mechanism, which is the EU's tool to coordinate assistance to disaster-hit countries, can be activated only if a country in the EU or elsewhere requests assistance. The mechanism coordinates for example the provision of search and rescue teams and equipment, the deployment of firefighting planes and the repatriation of EU citizens.
Humanitarian aid is not to be confused with development cooperation, which seeks to support the longer-term economic, environmental, social and political development of non-EU countries.
How humanitarian aid is delivered
EU assistance is coordinated by the European Commission's directorate general for civil protection and humanitarian aid operations (ECHO).
The humanitarian assistance funded by the EU is provided on the ground by over 200 partner organisations, including United Nations agencies (such as OCHA, WFP, UNHCR and UNICEF), the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and international and national non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
To receive funding for a humanitarian project, partner humanitarian organisations must submit funding proposals and follow strict guidelines for evaluating and monitoring projects. Partners must acknowledge the EU’s support by displaying the EU visual identity at project sites.
Through its humanitarian aid, the EU assists the most vulnerable populations with:
- food security
- nutritional support
- emergency healthcare
- water and sanitation
- shelter
- protection from physical and psychological harm
- education in emergencies
- cash-based assistance
As climate change will only increase the frequency of floods, droughts and hurricanes, the EU and its member states also provide support to strengthen capacities to respond to climate-related disasters and enhance the resilience of those most vulnerable to them.
EU regulation on humanitarian aid
The EU regulation concerning humanitarian aid, adopted in 1996, defines how the European Commission implements humanitarian operations on behalf of the EU.
It sets out the main goals, principles and procedures for implementing EU humanitarian aid operations.
Humanitarian principles
Humanitarian aid is provided based on the humanitarian principles of neutrality, humanity, independence and impartiality. The aid is provided irrespective of the race, ethnic group, religion, gender, age, nationality or political affiliation of the beneficiaries.
Humanity
Human suffering must be addressed wherever it is found, paying particular attention to the most vulnerable.
Neutrality
Humanitarian aid must not favour any side in an armed conflict or other disputes.
Impartiality
Humanitarian aid must be provided solely on the basis of need, without discrimination.
Independence
Humanitarian objectives must be separate from political, economic, religious, military or other objectives.
These principles, rooted in international humanitarian law, have been embraced by the United Nations in General Assembly resolutions 46/182 and 58/114.
At EU level, the humanitarian principles are enshrined in the European consensus on humanitarian aid, signed in December 2007 by the Council of the EU, the European Parliament and the European Commission.
The consensus outlines the main policy framework for the EU when acting in response to humanitarian crises. It sets out why, how, and when the EU acts. The overriding objectives of humanitarian action, as enshrined in the consensus, are:
- preserving life
- preventing and alleviating suffering
- helping to maintain human dignity in the face of natural hazards and human-made disasters
The role of the Council in humanitarian aid
While the Council does not take decisions on operational matters such as the amount of funding to be provided in response to particular crises, it does play an important role in defining the EU's position on third countries and regions by adopting Council conclusions.
With regard to humanitarian matters, this often means urging relevant parties to resolve the conflicts at the root of humanitarian crises and advocating respect for international humanitarian law.
Working Party on Humanitarian Aid and Food Aid
In the Council, the Working Party on Humanitarian Aid and Food Aid (COHAFA) is the body responsible for discussing issues related to humanitarian assistance, such as:
- monitoring humanitarian needs around the world and the EU’s response
- the efficiency of the global humanitarian system
- preparing EU statements in relevant international organisations and fora
- promoting the European consensus on humanitarian aid, humanitarian principles, and respect for international humanitarian law
COHAFA was set up in 2008 following the signing of the European consensus on humanitarian aid. The working party is chaired by the rotating presidency of the Council.
International humanitarian law
The EU is committed to international humanitarian law, a set of rules which defines the responsibilities of states and non-state armed groups during an armed conflict.
Humanitarian law is based mainly on the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the additional protocols adopted in 1977 and 2005. All 27 EU member states have ratified the Geneva conventions and their additional protocols. These Conventions are complemented by rules of customary international law.
The rules require, among other things:
- rapid and unimpeded passage for humanitarian aid
- protection of civilians (including humanitarian workers)
- protection of healthcare
- protection of objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population
They are designed to protect persons who are not, or are no longer, taking part in the fighting, including civilians, medical personnel, aid workers, wounded people, sick and shipwrecked troops, and prisoners of war or other detainees. International humanitarian law also imposes limits on the means and methods of warfare (for instance, the prohibition of certain weapons).
International humanitarian law is increasingly being violated in conflicts around the world, for example through:
- attacks on hospitals and schools
- attacks against humanitarian and medical workers
- denial of access to lifesaving humanitarian aid
- attacks against civilians
- recruitment and use of child soldiers
- rape and other sexual violence
Such violence affects civilians and prevents millions of people from receiving life-saving assistance.
2024 was the deadliest year on record for humanitarian workers with 385 killed, 308 wounded and 137 kidnapped. In 2025, 334 humanitarian workers were killed, 193 wounded and 112 kidnapped.
See also
Crisis response
The integrated political crisis response (IPCR)
EU civil protection
Last review: 25 February 2026