Public support for humanitarian aid has increased in the European Union despite the economic crisis. This is one of the main findings of the latest Eurobarometer public opinion survey on humanitarian aid and civil protection.
Nine out of ten citizens (88 percent) believe that it is important for the European Union to continue funding humanitarian aid, which is nine percent higher compared to the 2010 survey. Almost as many citizens (84 percent) support further funding for humanitarian aid despite the current economic crisis and pressure on public finances. The public has also shown strong support for the role of the Commission in coordinating EU humanitarian aid: 71 percent of respondents support this (which is 13 percent more than in 2010). Likewise, a large majority of respondents (88 percent) support the initiative to involve youth in EU humanitarian operations through volunteer organizations. Regarding civil protection, 82 percent of respondents agree that coordinated EU action is more effective than the actions of individual countries. This year, the European Commission marks the 20th anniversary of delivering humanitarian aid through ECHO, its Directorate-General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection.
