What is it?
Eurobarometer surveys monitor the evolution of public opinion in all EU Member States. The aim is to assess EU citizens’ awareness of and support for the European Union's activities. Tracing public opinion trends helps the preparation of policy, decision-making, and the evaluation of the EU's work.
What do European citizens think?
The 2020 results show a continuing and overwhelming level of support for EU action on humanitarian aid and civil protection:
- 91% of respondents think it is important that the EU funds humanitarian aid activities;
- 90% say it is important that the EU helps to coordinate the response to disasters in the European Union (through its civil protection role);
- When asked about the EU humanitarian aid budget, the majority of Europeans (89%) think that the EU should keep the current level of spending or even increase it;
- More than half of EU citizens (54%) think that EU coordinated action has helped their countries respond more effectively to the difficulties posed by the coronavirus pandemic.
The European Union, together with its Member States, is the largest donor of humanitarian aid in the world. The EU funds about 36% of global humanitarian assistance. A large majority (82%) of Europeans have positive feelings towards EU’s leading role in financing humanitarian aid, of which 55% feel satisfaction, 17% pride, and 10% enthusiasm.
When disasters are too serious for countries to deal with on their own, more than 9 in 10 EU citizens agree that another EU country should provide help. The same proportion of respondents (92%) also believe that their own country should be there to provide support when another country needs help, a true sign of EU solidarity.
EU citizens also show a high level of awareness (70%) of EU humanitarian aid activities and significant awareness (51%) about EU's coordination role in response to disasters in the EU.
Read the full Eurobarometer on Humanitarian Aid results.
Discover the full results of the Eurobarometer on Civil Protection.