![]() ![]() Since its creation 20 years ago, ECHO has helped millions of crisis victims in more than 140 countries hit by natural disasters and man-made crises. Helping the world's most vulnerable populations in crisis situations is a moral imperative for the international community and can make the difference between life and death. When disaster strikes, help needs to arrive fast to meet victims' basic needs and to preserve their dignity. As such, ECHO's humanitarian aid is distributed without regard for any political agendas, and without exception seeks to help those in the greatest need, irrespective of their nationality, religion, gender, ethnic origin or political affiliation. Every decision ECHO takes must be in accordance with these four principles which are at the heart of the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid. The EU's humanitarian assistance is based on the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. In 2010, Kristalina Georgieva was appointed as the first dedicated Commissioner for international cooperation, humanitarian aid and crisis response. In 2004 ECHO became the Directorate-General for Humanitarian Aid before integrating Civil Protection in 2010 for a better coordination and disaster response inside and outside Europe. In 2011 alone these funds reached nearly 150 million of the world's most vulnerable people in over 80 countries. Over the last five years ECHO's annual budget has averaged €1 billion. In its 20 year existence it has provided €14 billion of humanitarian assistance to victims of conflict and disasters in 140 countries around the globe. The Commission's European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) was created in 1992 as an expression of the European solidarity with people in need all around the world. Together, Member States and European Institutions contribute more than half of official global humanitarian aid. ![]() The European Union as a whole is the world's biggest donors of humanitarian aid. ![]()
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