What are the underlying principles and criteria in providing humanitarian assistance?
Humanitarian aid is a concrete expression of the European Union’s fundamental values: solidarity with most vulnerable populations, respect for human dignity, equality and tolerance. The Commission has a longstanding commitment to help the victims of humanitarian crises. Since 1992, its Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO) has provided relief that goes directly to people in distress, irrespective of their nationality, religion, gender, race, ethnic origin or political affiliation. Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/96 concerning humanitarian aid clearly states that the sole aim is to prevent or relieve human suffering and that humanitarian aid decisions (by the Commission) “must be taken impartially and solely according to the victims’ needs and interests”. EU humanitarian aid “must not be guided by, or subject to, political considerations”.
