European Union

The European Commission provides humanitarian funding for victims of natural and man-made disasters outside the EU. Aid is channelled impartially to the affected populations, regardless of their race, ethnic group, religion, gender, age, nationality or political affiliation.

Being one of the biggest sources of humanitarian aid in the world, the Commission works with about 200 operational partners, including specialised UN agencies, the Red Cross and Crescent movement and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in more than 90 countries. More detailed information on the humanitarian response in crisis zones around the world is being published in our Annual Reviews as well as special Leaflets and booklets.

The European Commission began providing humanitarian assistance in the Russian Federation in 1994, supporting people displaced by the Chechen conflict and other vulnerable groups. Since the beginning of the second Chechen conflict - in autumn 1999 – more than €240 million has been allocated for food, clothing, shelter, medical provisions, water supplies, sanitation, emergency repairs and mine-awareness, making the EU the largest donor in the region.

Thanks to socioeconomic improvements and the successful implementation of reconstruction projects the majority of displaced families have been able to return to their homeland since 2005. They are determined to rebuild their lives despite frequent violations of human rights and armed attacks.

As the reconstruction of towns and villages in Chechnya progresses, the European Commission has been able to start phasing out its humanitarian activities by the end of 2010. Current projects still focus on the areas of greatest needs.

With its latest aid package of €6 million approved in 2009 European Commission humanitarian aid facilitates the return of people displaced within Chechnya and in the neighbouring North Caucasus Republics of Ingushetia and Dagestan. Today there are still around 30,000 displaced people within Chechnya, 9,000 in Ingushetia and 3,500 in Dagestan.

European Commission humanitarian aid is channelled to the most needy helping them regain self-sufficiency. Besides protection of internally displaced people, activities include livelihood support to boost household income against a backdrop of high unemployment and dysfunctional markets. The aid also includes rehabilitation of rural water and gas networks, roads and communal services in partnership with local government and communities.

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