Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council. 2016 annual report on the implementation of the European Union’s instruments for financing external actions in 2015

In 2015, Europe was confronted with new and evolving global challenges. The European Union (EU) responded with the entire breadth of its policy portfolio and tools that span diplomatic, security, financial, trade, development and humanitarian cooperation, and aid in a comprehensive and time-sensitive approach.

Throughout the year, the EU continued to play a leading role in international efforts to deal with crises and provide support, notably in Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, and Libya. The EU also worked tirelessly with its international partners against the activities of Da'esh.

During 2015, the EU and its Member States remained the world's largest provider of development funding, promoting European core values of peace, security, sustainable development, poverty reduction, and human rights worldwide, and thus tackling the root causes of many crises.

The European Commission alone disbursed over €10.3 billion in official development assistance (ODA) in 2015. During the year, the 11th European Development Fund (EDF), worth €30.5 billion for the period 2014-2020, became fully operational.

The worldwide trend of worsening man-made and natural disasters continued in 2015. The European Commission provided relief assistance of over €1.4 billion including food, shelter, protection, healthcare and clean water to more than 120 million people in over 80 countries.

EUR-Lex: SWD(2016)456: Commission Staff Working Document accompanying the report http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=SWD:2016:456:FIN

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