The European Commission's Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO) was established in 1992. The Commission is now one of the world's largest humanitarian donors.

Through ECHO funding, some 18 million people are helped each year with funds channeled through 200 partner organisations (NGOs, United Nations agencies and the Red Cross/Crescent family). Its assistance is entirely needs-based and is provided non-discriminately respecting the humanitarian principals of neutrality, independence, and impartiality. This sets it apart from all other types of aid given by the European Commission.

The aid goes directly to those in distress, irrespective of race, religion or political convictions.

Since 1992, ECHO has funded humanitarian aid in more than 100 countries. Its grants cover shelter, water and sanitation, food aid, medical and essential supplies as well as support to refugees and displaced people. ECHO does more than just fund humanitarian aid:

• It carries out feasibility studies for its humanitarian operations;
• It monitors humanitarian projects and sets up coordination arrangements;
• It promotes and coordinates disaster prevention measures;
• It gives its partners technical assistance;
• It promotes the public awareness of humanitarian aid through actions carried out directly:
• It finances network and training study initiatives in the humanitarian field (NOHA).

The European Union’s mandate to ECHO to provide emergency assistance and relief to the victims of natural disasters or armed conflict outside the European Union. The aid is intended to go directly to those in distress, irrespective of race, religion or political convictions.

ECHO’s task is to ensure goods and services get to crisis zones fast. Goods may include essential supplies, specific foodstuffs, medical equipment, medicines and fuel. Services may include medical teams, water purification teams and logistical support. Goods and services reach disaster areas via ECHO partners.

Since 1992, ECHO has funded humanitarian aid in more than 85 countries. Its grants cover emergency aid, food aid and aid to refugees and displaced persons worth a total of more than €700 million per year.

ECHO does more than just fund humanitarian aid:

• It carries out feasibility studies for its humanitarian operations;
• It monitors humanitarian projects and sets up coordination arrangements;
• It promotes and coordinates disaster prevention measures;
• It gives its partners technical assistance;
• It promotes the public awareness of humanitarian aid through actions carried out directly:
• It finances network and training study initiatives in the humanitarian field (NOHA).

ECHO funding was modest at the outset, but it rose very rapidly and is now worth almost €1 billion every year.

Together with aid provided by the individual Member States, the European Union is now the largest donor of relief funding in the world.