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European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations

European and international cooperation on humanitarian aid

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Helping people affected by crises and disasters is a global concern and providing aid is a global effort. An effective and efficient response to humanitarian disasters depends to a large extent on close cooperation between all involved parties at different levels.

The European Commission's Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department (ECHO) is active in a wide range of international fora, first at a European level but also at international level through UN bodies' donor groups, and bilateral agreements with third countries. The international fora range from high-level summits establishing joint strategic priorities to meetings at working level to explore concrete solutions to common challenges.

Picture: Every year, the European Commission provides over €1 billion in humanitarian funding to respond to emergencies around the world. © European Union/ECHO/Anouk Delafortrie