European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO)

The EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department has been providing assistance to people in need since 1992. Civil protection and humanitarian aid are complementary. In the case of humanitarian aid, the European Commission Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department shares competence with EU Member States and together they are one of the leading global humanitarian donors. When it comes to civil protection, the EU assumes a supporting role, coordinating voluntary contributions of in-kind assistance from countries participating in the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.