Following Robert Schuman’s declaration, more than 50 years ago, only few would argue that the EU does not play an important and influential role in trade and other economic transactions between member states. On the other hand, the EU is still somewhat exploring its role in the international sphere.
After the Maastricht Treaty, the EU has intensified its attempts to play a more effective and strengthened international role. The EU knows perfectly well that instability and insecurity in other continents can impinge directly on trade relations between the EU and third countries. Moreover terrorism, irregular migration and human trafficking, among others, also have a direct impact on EU’s stability.
Putting security and stability aside, humanitarian aid and solidarity are part and parcel of one of the EU’s bulwarks – namely its social dimension. For this reason, the EU has a moral obligation to assist in any humanitarian challenge. It should therefore come as no surprise that the European Union allocates more than e600 million annually for humanitarian aid, through ECHO, established in 1992. DG ECHO under the guidance of Louis Michel, the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, basically operates through two funding instruments – the community budget for humanitarian aid and the European Development Fund.
The humanitarian aid instrument finances humanitarian operations, food aid activities and disaster preparedness. Activities and materials financed vary from awareness generation to actual practical material used during operations, such as medical equipment and staff, fuel, food and its transportation, shelters and reconstruction works, as well as other activities that may be required. The European Development Fund (EDF), on the other hand, is the main instrument that supports development cooperation within the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP states).
Until 2013, EU aid for these states will continue to be financed through the EDF. Moreover, the EU also has a reserve for emergency aid which is used for unforeseeable situations requiring a rapid response. A case in point concerns President Barroso’s promise of financial assistance totalling e473 million, between 2005 and 2006, for areas and victims affected by the tsunami disaster in December 2004.
The Commission has also recently approved an allocation of e5 million to help victims of Cyclone Sidr that struck Bangladesh. This grant will be utilised for basic needs such as water, food, shelter and cooking utensils. These funds are channelled through partner implementing agencies including non-governmental organisations specialising in international relief, United Nations agencies and the Red Cross. Furthermore, also worthy of note is the e2 million grant to the Vietnamese flood victims and the e5 million granted to the victims of Hurricane Felix in Nicaragua.
Additional information is available on ECHO’s website: http://ec.europa.eu/ echo/ .
Mr Micallef is Funding Support Officer at Forum Malta fl-Ewropa