Legal basis and practical dimensions of humanitarian aid and civil protection provided by the European Union

Abstract

The article focuses on presenting the legal basis and practical dimensions of humanitarian aid and civil protection provided by the European Union in the face of world`s contemporary problems. The humanitarian aid and civil protection provided by the European Union is based on a solid legal foundation, as well as a set of concrete principles and common objectives. In the context of ever-increasing humanitarian needs and limited resources, the EU, together with its Member States and humanitarian partners, will seek a more coordinated and coherent approach to providing help, where humanitarian aid and development aid are interrelated, allowing current needs to be more efficiently addressed. EU-funded assistance is delivered in different forms, depending on the circumstances and unique character of each emergency. What remains the same, however, are the values that guide the Union and that are required from its aid partners, i.e.: humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence. The European Union continues to be a leader in the field of humanitarian aid around the world, being not only the main donor, but also setting standards for compliance with international humanitarian law and humanitarian principles.

Keywords

• humanitarian aid
• European Union
• EU law