European solidarity with the victims of humanitarian crises. Humanitarian aid and the European Union

Every year, more and more people are the victims of humanitarian crises - whether man-made conflicts or natural disasters. The worst hit are civilians, and in particular the most vulnerable sectors of society. As a result, Europe has an ever more crucial role to play in bringing relief to those who suffer. As crises have proliferated across the world over the last decade, the EU has stepped up its humanitarian and reconstruction activities. In the course of the year 2000, ECHO, the EU service responsible for humanitarian aid, provided assistance to more than 18 million people in need.