EC action to aid uprooted people in Asia and Latin America

The displacement of large numbers of people fleeing extremely dangerous situations in order to survive is one of the most alarming situations currently facing humankind.

There are many reasons for these displacements, but the reasons that are most difficult to accept are those deriving from human actions, from intolerance and war to extreme inequality. Displacement in turn leads to conflict between populations of different origins and cultures. At the start of the 21st century, the number of refugees and uprooted people is comparable to the post- World War II period. This is cause for concern and should make us face up to the responsibility of acting more effectively.

To do so does not mean just helping people survive emergency situations. It is also about life after survival. For there is a need to help people and social groups regain confidence in their abilities, and to create the means to allow them to move beyond the subsistence phase, through learning, information, communication, and organisation. The States and societies concerned very often do not have the administrative structures that would allow them to benefit from international development aid, which is generally subject to formal, technical, and administrative requirements. A gap or ‘grey zone’ has thus emerged between emergency situations, subsistence and development.

The response of the main players in the international community has been largely insufficient. In recent years, the overall reduction in aid levels along with inefficiencies in allocation and implementation have met with a great deal of criticism. The fact is that responsibility should be effective and mutual, involving both donors and beneficiaries. Yet, when compared with other donors, the European Union (i.e. European Commission along with the Member States) stands out. This is not only due to its funding of United Nations agencies and European and regional NGOs, but also to such innovative initiatives as decentralised cooperation, which seeks to strengthen the role of local partners.
There are also budget instruments that address the various phases of humanitarian emergency, such as the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) and the European Development Fund.