Help us shape policy priorities for EU humanitarian aid
The European Commission has launched a new initiative to hear from citizens and stakeholders. The feedback received will set out policy priorities for EU humanitarian aid to better adapt to the new global geopolitical and humanitarian context. The coronavirus pandemic is further exacerbating a challenging global environment. An increasing number of people require assistance in various parts of the world.
The EU needs to adapt its humanitarian response to maintain and strengthen its leading role as a principled donor of humanitarian aid.
The initiative will be open for feedback for 4 weeks. The European Commission will summarise the input received in a synopsis report explaining how the input will be taken on board.
You can enter your contribution until 28 December 2020 on the dedicated website.
The new EU humanitarian funding will be channelled to UN agencies, NGOs and international organisations, and be strictly monitored. This assistance will benefit hundreds of thousands of the most affected people to cover essential needs.
The EU is a leading supporter of Lebanon, providing over €2.3 billion of assistance since 2011, including over €660 million in humanitarian aid.
EU emergency response in Beirut, Lebanon
Today’s funding comes on top of ongoing EU emergency operations, which include:
- Some 300 highly trained experts from the EU and its Member States were deployed through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, including search and rescue, chemical assessment and medical teams
- in-kind assistance consisting of urgently medical equipment and supplies, chemical protection suits
- a military vessel with helicopter capacity for medical evacuation, and medical and protective equipment
- the activation of the Copernicus Satellite mapping system to help assess the extent of the damage
Background
The new EU support announced today follows the letter of the President of the European Council Michel and President of the Commission von der Leyen to EU Member States where they encouraged them to intensify support to Lebanon, in short term emergency and humanitarian aid but also in the longer-term reconstruction of the country.
The EU institutions stand ready to ensure the synergy of the aid that the EU and Member States are going to provide through a coordination mechanism that the EU institutions will put in place.
Publication date
09/08/2020