REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL Annual report on the European Union's humanitarian aid operations financed in 2021
Date: 2022-11-21
Institutions: Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), European Commission
Subjects: activity report, aid evaluation, aid to disaster victims, aid to refugees, coronavirus disease, emergency aid, food security, forced migration, implementation of the budget, natural disaster, third country

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 21.11.2022  COM(2022) 647 final  REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL Annual report on the European Union's humanitarian aid operations financed in 2021  
 
 
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................ 2 

HUMANITARIAN AID OPERATIONS SUPPORTED IN 2021 ................................................................ 2 

Overview – main aid operations supported......................................................................... 2 

Horizontal priorities ............................................................................................................ 9 

Summary of evaluations completed in 2021 ..................................................................... 10 

Additional information and sources .................................................................................. 12 

DG ECHO implementing partners (2021) ........................................................................ 13 

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INTRODUCTION 

This report presents the European Union (EU)’s main activities and policy outcomes in 2021 
in  the  field  of  humanitarian  aid,  as  funded  by  the  Union’s  budget  and  implemented  by  the 
European Commission (Commission). 

The report is prepared in accordance with Article 19 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/96 
of 20 June 1996. 

HUMANITARIAN AID OPERATIONS SUPPORTED IN 2021 

In 2021 the humanitarian needs kept increasing due to complex crises, armed conflicts, natural 
hazards,  and  health  emergencies,  particularly  the  COVID-19  pandemic.  The  Commission, 
through  its  Directorate-General  for  European  Civil  Protection  and  Humanitarian  Aid 
Operations (DG ECHO), remained a leading humanitarian donor,  allocating almost  EUR  2.2 
billion  in  more  than  80  countries,  to  support  millions  of  people  in  need.  While  the  massive 
impact of the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the dire situation of vulnerable populations, a 
total  of  EUR 656 million  in  humanitarian  support  has  been  mobilised  since  the  beginning  of 
the pandemic  to  address its  effects, including a  package of EUR 100 million  for vaccination 
roll out in Africa, in cooperation with the African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. 
Furthermore, the Humanitarian Air Bridge (HAB) continued to operate with 21 flights in 2021, 
providing essential medical supplies and humanitarian cargo to 4 countries1.  

The  crises  in  Africa,  and  in  Syria  (and  its  neighbouring  countries),  were  allocated  a  wide 
proportion of EU humanitarian aid. Furthermore, since the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, 
a  significant  humanitarian  aid  response  was  mobilised  to  address  the  drastic  deterioration  of 
the  political  situation  in  Afghanistan  and  its  neighbouring  countries.  Moreover,  the  EU 
maintained its focus on supporting populations hit by ‘forgotten crises’, such as in the Central 
African Republic, Sudan, Pakistan, Colombia, Venezuela, Haiti, Ukraine and the Philippines.  

To  address  the  growing  humanitarian  funding  gap,  the  Commission  also  promoted  the 
implementation  of  the  Grand  Bargain  commitments  while  also  ensuring  quality  funding 
through the implementation of its sectoral policy guidelines. 

Overview – main aid operations supported 

Sub-Saharan Africa 

Ethiopia  

In  Ethiopia,  2021  was  marked  by  the  evolving  northern  conflict  between  the  Federal 
Government and the Tigrayan Regional Security Forces. 

The  EU  provided  EUR  85.5  million  to  support  life-saving  assistance  to  internally  displaced 
people  uprooted  by  conflict  or  natural  hazards,  as  well  as  to  refugees,  migrants  and  food 
insecure people, affected by the locust outbreak in the region.  

Kenya 

Kenya  hosts  over  500 000 refugees  primarily  from  Somalia  and  South  Sudan,  completely 

1 Afghanistan, Mozambique, Ethiopia and Haiti were covered by the HAB in 2021.  

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dependent on humanitarian aid. The ongoing drought, and COVID-19, increasingly impacted 
the food and nutrition situation, with at least 3.1 million people in need of food assistance in 
the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands.  

The EU provided EUR 18 million for basic survival services (food assistance, water sanitation 
and  hygiene  (WASH),  health-nutrition,  protection  and  education)  for  refugees  and  asylum 
seekers living in camps.  

Somalia  

The humanitarian situation in Somalia has further deteriorated in 2021 due to internal armed 
conflict and the development of a severe drought. 

The  EU´s  humanitarian  assistance  of  EUR  63.8  million  included  life-saving  activities, 
mitigating  measures  to  address  desert  locust  upsurge,  floods,  the  impact  of  COVID-19  and 
measures to strengthen early response capacity in case of new shocks.  

South Sudan 

In  2021,  communities  were  hit  hard  by  conflict,  sub-national  violence,  major  flooding  and 
COVID-19.  Humanitarian  access  to  affected  populations  continued  to  be  constrained  by 
violence and operational impediments.  

EU  action  mobilised  EUR  76.5  million  to  reduce  excess  mortality  and  morbidity  in  the 
country,  protect  communities  affected  by  violence,  provide  lifesaving  activities,  and  support 
the humanitarian community´s actions. 

Sudan  

The  number  of  people  in  need  of  assistance  has  risen  for  the  fourth  year  in  a  row.  Food 
insecurity  remained  alarmingly  high  with  increased  and  protracted  displacement  caused  by 
internal  armed  conflict,  economic  decline  and  inflation  affecting  food  prices.  This  was 
exacerbated  by  the  impact  of  COVID-19.  As  of  October  2021,  more  than  20%  of  Sudan’s 
population faced acute food insecurity. 

The EU allocated EUR 62.1 million to provide  emergency lifesaving services and protection 
assistance to populations displaced or affected by conflict or natural disasters, and to respond 
to health, nutrition and food security crises.  

Uganda 

Uganda  hosts  the  largest  refugee  population  in  Africa,  mainly  from  South  Sudan  and  the 
Democratic  Republic  of  the  Congo  (DRC).  The  influx  of  refugees  has  overstretched  the 
capacity  of  reception  and  transit  centres.  The  main  needs  related  to  food  assistance,  WASH, 
protection and other basic services.  

EUR 35 million was allocated by the EU to life-saving assistance to the most vulnerable and 
host communities and to strengthen local disaster preparedness. 

Burundi 

Due to extreme weather events, COVID-19 and security and human rights protection concerns, 
2.3  million  people  in  Burundi  and  over  260  000  refugees  in  neighbouring  countries  were  in 
need of humanitarian aid.  

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The  EU  followed  a  regional  approach,  allocating  EUR  12.8  million  in  aid  for  coordination, 
protection, disaster preparedness and disaster risk reduction, including against epidemics.  

Democratic Republic of the Congo  

Humanitarian  crises  in  the  DRC  exposed  26  million  people  to  acute  food  insecurity.  Due  to 
persistent conflict and violence, the DRC counts over 5.6 million internally displaced persons 
(IDPs)  and  over  800  000  refugees  in  neighbouring  countries.  Malaria,  natural  disasters  and 
epidemics took a huge toll. 

The EU allocated EUR 70 million in humanitarian aid, out of which over EUR 63 million for 
life-saving  activities,  including  EUR 15 million  for  famine  response.  It  also  supported  the 
emergency response to the volcano eruption of Mount Nyiragongo. 

Central African Republic   

Due  to  the  deteriorating  regional  crisis  which  has  led  more  than  1.4  million  people  to  leave 
their  homes,  EU  funds  (EUR  22.5  million,  including  1  million  for  the  response  to  the  new 
influx  of  Central  African  Republic  refugees  in  the  DRC)  were  allocated  to  support  food 
supply,  livelihood,  agriculture,  protection  of  civilians  and  basic  services  in  the  country. 
Support was also given to reinforce humanitarian coordination, security and logistics.  

Sahel  

Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Mali, Chad, Niger, Nigeria and Cameroon 

There  are  over  32  million  people  identified  as  persons  in  need,  with  23.7  million  in  food 
insecurity (the double in comparison to 2015-2020 on average). 

The EU provided a response of EUR 242 million in the Sahel region to tackle the food crisis, 
enhance humanitarian coordination and security management in conflict areas and to improve 
disaster preparedness. Further progress was made in the implementation of the humanitarian-
development-peace nexus to build resilience of the affected populations, reduce humanitarian 
needs and address the root causes of food insecurity and acute undernutrition. 

Lake Chad Basin 

Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad 

A  decade-long  crisis  has  affected  over  10  million  people  in  the  region.  The  EU  prioritised 
multi-sectoral  assistance  and  allocated  EUR  96.5  million  to  support  forcibly  displaced 
populations with food assistance, nutrition, health and WASH. The EU also tackled education 
in  emergencies,  disaster  preparedness,  logistics  for  humanitarian  infrastructures  and  access 
through air services. 

Southern Africa and Indian Ocean region  

Angola,  Botswana,  Comoros  Islands,  Eswatini,  Lesotho,  Madagascar,  Malawi,  Mauritius, 
Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe  

The  needs  in  the  Southern  Africa  and  Indian  Ocean  region  significantly  increased  due  to 
droughts,  COVID-19,  increased  cyclonic  activities,  high  food  prices  and  armed  violence, 
leading  to  internal  displacement.  Over  23  million  people  faced  acute  levels  of  food  and 
nutrition insecurity and needed humanitarian assistance across the region.  

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The  EU  aid  of  EUR  52.5  million  focused  on  emergency  relief  response  such  as  food  and 
nutrition  assistance,  protection,  access  to  healthcare,  education  in  emergencies,  water  and 
sanitation and disaster preparedness. 

North Africa 

Libya 

Approximately 1.3 million people were in need of humanitarian assistance, 168 011 remained 
displaced and 635 051 were migrants. COVID-19 and limited humanitarian access exacerbated 
the humanitarian crisis. 

The  EU  allocated  EUR  9  million  to  assist  the  most  vulnerable,  through  protection 
interventions,  multi-purpose  cash  transfers,  basic  healthcare  and  education  in  emergencies. 
Dedicated funding supported the roll out of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign.  

Western Sahara and Algeria  

Tens of thousands of Saharawi refugees remain stranded as a result of a 40-year-long forgotten 
crisis.  They  live  in  five  camps  in  southwest  Algeria  with  little  access  to  outside  resources, 
making humanitarian aid essential to their survival. 

The EU allocated EUR 10 million humanitarian assistance aimed to cover the basic needs of 
Saharawi  refugees  such  as  food,  drinking  water,  essential  healthcare,  and  education  in 
emergencies. This included EUR 1 million dedicated to COVID-19-related activities.  

Latin America and the Caribbean 

The  Latin  America  and 
multidimensional effects of COVID-19. 

the  Caribbean  region  has  been  severely  affected  by 

the 

The  EU  supported  the  region  with  in  EUR  16.9  million  (including  EUR  0.9  million  from 
epidemics), tackling the consequences of the pandemic among the most vulnerable (including 
indigenous communities). 

South America 

Venezuela   

Along  with  the  prolonged  economic  recession  and  hyperinflation,  the  COVID-19  pandemic 
exacerbated  the  needs  for  health,  water,  food  and  education  in  Venezuela.  According  to  the 
United  Nations  High  Commissioner  for  Refugees  and  the  International  Organization  for 
Migration, around 6 million Venezuelans have left their country since the crisis started. 

In 2021, the EU allocated EUR 82.2 million to support Venezuelan migrants/refugees as well 
as host communities in neighbouring countries such as Colombia, Peru and Ecuador.  

Colombia  

The humanitarian situation in Colombia deteriorated sharply in 2021  following the arrival of 
1.8 million Venezuelan refugees in the country and due to the increment of internal violence.  

The  EU  provided  EUR  12.2  million  of  emergency  relief  aid  to  people  affected  by  internal 
violence, displacement and restriction of movement (especially to minorities) and continued its 

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engagement in terms of disaster preparedness (EUR 2 million).  

Central America  

Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador 

According to 2021 Humanitarian Needs Overview Plan for those countries, 8.3 million persons 
were  in  need  of  humanitarian  assistance.  There  were  also  more  than  1.7  million  internally 
displaced  persons.  Transcontinental  and  extracontinental  population  movements  met  a 
dramatic increase during 2021. 

In  2021,  EU’s  response  of  EUR  12.3  million  assisted  around  860  000  beneficiaries  and 
addressed  the  critical  needs  of  the  most  vulnerable  victims  and  survivors  of  organised 
violence, notably through protection and relief assistance and provision of food assistance. 

The Caribbean, including Haiti 

The  socio-economic  crisis  in  the  whole  region,  exacerbated  by  the  COVID-19  pandemic, 
resulted in increased food insecurity: 10 million people suffered from moderate food insecurity 
and 1 million from severe food insecurity. 

In 2021, the EU remained engaged in the support to the resilience and disaster preparedness in 
the  region  and  allocated  a  total  of  EUR  3.9  million,  including  the  emergency  assistance  in 
response to the Soufrière volcanic eruption in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. 

As  regards  Haiti,  since  June  2021,  violence  and  territorial  disputes  between  armed  gangs  in 
Port-au-Prince  have  significantly  increased,  with  more  than  19  000  IDPs  registered  facing 
severe protection threats. 

The EU has mobilised EUR 17 million to mitigate acute food insecurity in Haiti, to assist and 
protect victims of violence, to provide relief following the 14 August 2021 earthquake, as well 
as for disaster preparedness actions. 

Asia and Pacific 

Central Asia  

Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran   

The  humanitarian  situation  in  Afghanistan  and  neighbouring  countries,  mainly  Iran  and 
Pakistan  drastically  deteriorated  since  the  Taliban’s  takeover  in  August  2021.  An  Integrated 
Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) assessment2  estimated that 24 million people needed 
humanitarian  assistance  in  Afghanistan  due  to  the  alarming  food  insecurity  situation,  the 
COVID-19 pandemic and the economy contraction. Between January and 19 December 2021, 
682 031 persons were newly internally displaced.  

The EU allocated a total of EUR 251.5 million that reached 5 million beneficiaries in extreme 
need.  Some  280  tonnes  of  cargo,  mainly  medical  equipment,  COVID-19  supplies  and  food 
items were transported to Kabul through the EU’s Humanitarian Air Bridge.  

2  

IPC is a set of standardised tools that aims at providing a common standard to classifying the severity and magnitude of food insecurity. 
The period of the last IPC covers September 2021 to March 2022. 

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Bangladesh  

According to the 2021 Joint Response Plan, as result of the Rohingya crisis, 884 000 stateless 
refugees  resided  in  the  Cox’s  Bazar  region.  The  humanitarian  needs  addressed  by  the  EU 
through the  allocation of  EUR 41.1 million included food assistance, health, nutrition,  water 
and sanitation, protection, shelter and education. 

Myanmar  

Following the Myanmar military coup in February 2021, the humanitarian situation remained 
extremely volatile, with about 700 000 people displaced at the end of 2021. The EU mobilised 
EUR 24.8 million to provide assistance mainly as regards multi-sectoral emergency response, 
protection, food assistance, health, nutrition, water and sanitation, shelter and education.  

Philippines  

The  ongoing  armed  conflict  in  Mindanao  is  considered  as  one  the  most  important  forgotten 
crises. The Philippines is also prone to natural disasters with millions affected in the past year.  

In  2021,  the  EU  allocated  EUR  7  million  to  address  needs  mainly  related  to  the  conflict  in 
Mindanao and to natural hazards, especially typhoons. The needs of affected people (including 
IDPs) were targeted through cash transfers. 

Middle East and Neighbourhood (South and East)  

Syria 

13.4 million people needed humanitarian aid due to the multi-faceted armed conflict in Syria. 
The EU allocated EUR 140 million to help vulnerable populations, and ensured the delivery of 
food, medicine, water, and shelter. The EU assistance aimed at improving living conditions, as 
regards health, protection and education. 

The  Commission  also  organised  and  co-chaired  the  conference  on  ‘Supporting  the  Future  of 
Syria  and  the  Region’  and  participated  in  the  Humanitarian  Task  Force  related  to  the 
International Syria Support Group. 

Lebanon and Jordan 

In  Lebanon,  political  instability  and  communal  tension  influenced  the  discourse  and  the 
protection space of Syrian refugees and have created access issues for humanitarian partners, 
affecting their ability to deliver aid. 

In Jordan, the COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the lack of access by refugees to basic 
services, such as housing or education, especially for those residing in camps.  

The EU helped Syrian refugees and the vulnerable host population in Lebanon and Jordan by 
advocating  for  their  protection  and  facilitating  their  access  to  basic  services,  such  as  health, 
housing,  education  or  WASH.  EU´s  total  humanitarian  assistance  amounted  to  EUR 72.5 
million. 

Palestine3 

3   This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of the 

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The EU provided EUR 34.7 million to support vulnerable civilians in Gaza, that are exposed to 
conflict in a deteriorating socio-economic environment, as well as to vulnerable communities 
at  risk  of  forced  displacement  and  lacking  access  to  basic  services  in  the  West  Bank.  This 
included an emergency response during the escalation of tension in May 2021. 

The EU continued to advocate for the respect of International Humanitarian Law in Gaza, East 
Jerusalem and the West Bank.  

Iraq 

1.2  million  people  remained  displaced  across  the  country  and  over  85%  of  IDPs  lived  in 
informal sites outside camps.  

The  EU´s  humanitarian  aid  (EUR  28.5  million)  addressed  the  needs  of  the  most  vulnerable 
IDPs  through  the  provision  of  multi-sectoral  assistance.  Funding  also  supported  access  to 
COVID-19 vaccination, prevention, and health referral systems for excluded and marginalised 
people.  

Yemen 

Yemen  remained  the  world’s  largest  humanitarian  crisis  with  20.7  million  people  requiring 
humanitarian assistance and protection. Over 4 million people have been displaced due to the 
ongoing armed conflict. Yemen is experiencing one of the largest food security emergencies in 
the world, with 16.2 million people facing severe food shortages. 

The EU provided EUR 134 million to life-saving assistance targeting people directly exposed 
to  the  armed  conflict  or  living  in  high-risk  areas  of  food  insecurity,  malnutrition  and 
epidemics.  

Türkiye 

In  Türkiye,  the  EU  allocated  EUR  325  million  to  continue  providing  support  to  the  largest 
refugee  population  in  the  world.  The  COVID-19  pandemic  has  affected  refugees  further 
increasing their needs. Protection remains a major need as refugees face difficulties accessing 
social services and exercising their rights. 

In 2021 the EU supported more than 1.5 million refugees, meeting basic needs with monthly 
cash  assistance  (through  the  Emergency  Social  Safety  Net)  and  assisted  vulnerable  refugee 
families  whose  children  attended  school  under  the  Conditional  Cash  Transfer  for  Education 
(CCTE). In 2021, the CCTE assisted over 695 000 children. 

Ukraine 

The  security  situation  in  Ukraine,  especially  in  eastern  Ukraine,  was  volatile  even  before 
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine started. Already in 2021, some 3.4 million people 
were in need of humanitarian assistance.  

In  response,  the  EU  allocated  EUR  28.9  million  and  reached  in  2021  more  than  750  000 
people  including  in  the  non-government-controlled  areas  of  Donetsk  and  Luhansk  oblasts  of 
Ukraine.  The  funding  helped  people  in  the  fields  of  health,  basic  needs,  access  to  water, 
education in emergencies, and protection, including mine risk education. 

Member States on this issue. 

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Belarus 

The  Union  promptly  addressed  the  humanitarian  impact  of  the  migration  crisis  created  and 
instrumentalised by the Belarusian regime for political purposes, which escalated in November 
2021. The EU provided EUR 700 000 to humanitarian partners to deliver relief assistance to 
people stranded at the EU external borders with Belarus. 

Horizontal priorities 

In  March  2021,  the  Commission  adopted  a  Communication  on  the  European  Union’s 
humanitarian  action,  setting  out  a  strategic  vision  for  the  EU’s  role  as  a  humanitarian  actor, 
and  defining  a  clear  agenda  for  the  EU’s  humanitarian  action  for  the  years  to  come.  The 
communication provides for  actions to broaden the donor base for humanitarian action, both 
inside  and  beyond  the  EU,  to  step-up  efforts  to  promote  the  respect  of  International 
Humanitarian  Law  in  armed  conflicts  or  to  make  sure  the  assistance  represents  the  best 
possible value for money, while having the greatest possible impact on the ground. 

International Humanitarian Law  

In 2021 the EU continued its systematic public advocacy  of  International Humanitarian  Law  
for  example  through  public  statements  and  interventions  in  multilateral  fora,  such  as  a  side 
event on the margins of the UN General Assembly in September 2021, the preparatory work of 
the  European  Humanitarian  Forum  through  a  webinar  on  26  November  2021  or  through 
supporting a stronger EU humanitarian diplomacy. The Commission’s extensive set of actions 
was  included  in  the  2021  Report  on  the  EU  Guidelines  on  Promoting  Compliance  with 
International Humanitarian Law published in June 2022.  

The  Commission  has  been  also,  promoting  the  protection  of  education  from  attack,  the 
protection  of  children  in  armed  conflict  and  the  safety  and  security  of  humanitarian  and 
medical  personnel  in  armed  conflicts.  This  was  done  through  a  side  event  organised  with 
Belgium on 23 September 2021 on the margins of the 2021 UN General Assembly and through 
a  discussion  series  on  safety  and  security  of  humanitarian  and  medical  personnel  in  armed 
conflicts.  

Education in Emergencies  

In 2021, the Commission continued to allocacate 10% of its initial humanitarian aid budget to 
Education in Emergencies supporting formal and non-formal education, promoting integrated 
and  innovative  solutions  to  ensure  that  all  children  affected  by  armed  conflicts  and 
humanitarian  emergencies,  particularly  girls,  have  equitable  access  to  safe  and  quality 
learning. This funding amounted to EUR 146 million, benefiting over 2.3 million children. 

Food assistance and malnutrition 

According  to  the  2021  Global  Report  on  Food  Crises,  more  than  155 million  people 
experienced  acute  hunger  requiring  urgent  food,  nutrition  and  livelihood  assistance  in  2020. 
The  COVID-19  pandemic  further  increased  these  figures  in  the  first  half  of  2021,  up  to 
161 million.  

EU  humanitarian  funding  was  significantly  increased  to  the  countries  most  affected  by  food 
insecurity. The EU committed to spending at least EUR 1.1 billion to fight malnutrition in the 
period  2021-2024.  Moreover,  the  humanitarian-development-peace  nexus  in  food  crises  as 

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well as the promotion of anticipatory action approaches were further implemented. 

Health 

The  needs  for  Mental  Health  and  Psychosocial  Support  (MHPS)  continued  to  grow. 
Throughout  2021,  the  Commission  undertook  several  initiatives  in  this  area,  notably 
supporting  partners  under  the  2021  European  Humanitarian  Response  Capacity  to  develop 
policies and tools to strengthen the integration of MHPS across sectors and collect quality data.  

Disaster preparedness 

In  2021,  the  Commission  continued  strengthening  disaster  preparedness  and  anticipatory 
action.  Disaster  preparedness  also  continued  to  be  mainstreamed  in  humanitarian  assistance 
response  operations.  49%  of  all  EU  humanitarian  projects  funded  in  2021  included  disaster 
preparedness activities. 

The  Commission  developed  in  consultation  with  partners  a  new  Disaster  Preparedness 
Guidance  Note,  published  in  2021,  which  outlines  its  approach  to  disaster  preparedness  and 
risk-informed humanitarian response. 

Cash assistance 

In  line  with  the  Council  Conclusions  on  multi-purpose  cash  and  the  Grand  Bargain 
commitments,  the  Commission  encouraged  the  use  of  cash  transfers  in  appropriate  settings, 
which would offer affected people greater choice, flexibility and control over their own lives. 
The  Commission  worked  on  a  new  thematic  policy  document  on  cash  transfers  which  was 
adopted in 2022.  

Innovation and private sector engagement 

The Commission launched a call for proposals for projects with humanitarian partners, aimed 
at mobilising private sector and financial capital for humanitarian projects. 

The  Commission  scaled  up  its  work  on  data  protection  and  responsible  sharing  of  personal 
data, providing guidance on these issues as part of the new thematic policy document on cash 
transfers. 

EU  Humanitarian  Aid  Flight,  Humanitarian  Air  Bridge,  and  other  support  for 
humanitarian air transport services 

EU Humanitarian Aid Flight (formerly ECHO Flight) is a humanitarian air service  with four 
aircrafts.  Flight  operations  in  2021  provided  transport  to  more  than  10  000  humanitarian  aid 
workers  and  the  delivery  of  over  200  tonnes  of  humanitarian  cargo  for  around  150  projects 
implemented by Commission’s humanitarian partners and other humanitarian organisations in 
the DRC, Kenya and Mali.  

EUR  8.8  million  allocated  in  2021  by  the  EU,  contributed  to  the  support  of  World  Food 
Programme/ United Nations Humanitarian Aid Services in Nigeria, a logistic operation in Mali 
with Handicap International4 and the implementation of EU HAB operations to Ethiopia, Haiti, 
Afghanistan and Mozambique (21 flights - 500 tonnes of humanitarian cargo).  

4   ECHO/FLI/BUD/2021/91001: action seeking to pool means of transport (by road, by air and on the Niger  river) to deliver humanitarian 

assistance from Bamako and Mopti to other parts of Mali.  

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Summary of evaluations completed in 2021 

Evaluation  of  the  EU’s  implementation  of  the  DG  ECHO’s  Thematic  Policy  Document 
“Gender: Different Needs, Adapted Assistance” of July 2013, 2014-2018 

The  evaluation  found  appropriate  coherence  with  relevant  policies  at  EU  and  global  levels, 
significant  added  value  to  the  Call  to  Action  on  Protection  from  Gender-Based  Violence  in 
Emergencies  and  proactive  coordination  and  advocacy  with  Member  States.  Gender 
integration improved in operations.  

Evaluation  of  the  European  Union’s  humanitarian  response  to  the  Rohingya  refugee 
crisis in Myanmar and Bangladesh, 2017-2019 

The evaluation concluded that DG ECHO contributed to meeting the objectives of preventing 
and  alleviating  human  suffering,  maintaining  human  dignity  and  upholding  humanitarian 
principles. This also encompassed a key role in terms of coordination and advocacy. 

Evaluation of European Union’s humanitarian assistance in Syria, 2016-2018 

The  evaluation  concluded  that  DG  ECHO  made  a  unique  contribution  to  strengthening  the 
humanitarian  footprint  across  Syria,  improving  coverage  of  response  in  hard-to-reach  and 
besieged  areas.  The  response  in  aligned  with  humanitarian  principles,  and  well-coordinated 
with other humanitarian actors. 

11 

 
 
 
 
  
 
2021 Humanitarian aid budget implementation 

The humanitarian aid funding agreements concluded by the Commission in 2021 can be found 
on the Financial Transparency System website.  

Humanitarian aid budget implementation 

HUMANITARIAN AID 2021 BUDGET IMPLEMENTATION 
Excluding external assigned revenue from Member States (in million EUR) 

Region/country 

Amount 

Africa 

Upper Nile Basin 
Central Africa 

Great Lakes 

Horn of Africa 
Southern Africa, Indian Ocean 

West Africa 

North Africa 

Middle East, Southeast Europe and Eastern neighbourhood 

Middle East 

Southeast Europe and Eastern neighbourhood 

Asia, Pacific 

South West and Central Asia 

South East Asia and Pacific 

Latin America, Caribbean 

Latin America 

Caribbean 

Worldwide disasters 

Complementary operations and support 

TOTAL 

Additional information and sources 

•  General information on DG ECHO:  

http://ec.europa.eu/echo/en     

% 

33% 

35% 

15% 

7% 

7% 

3% 

732 

174 
131 

73 

170 
45 

121 

20 

756 

409 

374 

330 

251 

79 

144 

125 

20 

154 

75 

2 1905 

100% 

•  Financial information on the European Commission's humanitarian aid activities in 

2021: 
https://ec.europa.eu/echo/funding-evaluations/funding-decisions-hips_en  

•  Operational information from previous years:  

European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations | European Commission 
(europa.eu)  

5  

In  addition  to  the  humanitarian  aid  budget,  DG  ECHO  managed  EUR  904  million  under  the  EU’s  Civil  Protection  Mechanism  (EUR 
225,8  million  under  the  Multiannual Financial  Framework  budget  and EUR 678,6  million under  the  Next  Generation  EU  budget),  and 
EUR 1.6 million under Other External Actions. 

12 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
•  2021 Annual Activity Report, DG ECHO:  
2021 AAR template body (europa.eu) 

•  2021 Annual Management and Performance Report:  

Annual management and performance report 2021 | European 
Commission (europa.eu) 

•  DG ECHO evaluation reports:  

https://ec.europa.eu/echo/funding-evaluations/evaluations_en  

•  European Commission and Member States' humanitarian aid funding data: 

https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/hac/  

DG ECHO implementing partners (2021)6 

Member States’ specialised agencies 

Member State  Name 

France 

Agence Française d’Expertise Technique Internationale 

Germany 

Deutsche Gesellschaft Für Internationale Zusammenarbeit 

Country 

Name 

Switzerland 

Comité International de la Croix-Rouge (CICR) 

International Organisations 

Switzerland  

Fédération Internationale des Sociétés de la Croix-Rouge Et Du Croissant Rouge 

Country 

Name 

France 

United Nations Educational Scientific And Cultural Organization 

United Nations Agencies 

Italy 

Italy 

Israel 

Kenya 

United Nations - Food And Agriculture Organization 

World Food Program 

United Nations Relief And Works Agency For Palestine Refugees In The Near East 

United Nations Human Settlements Programme 

Switzerland 

International Organization For Migration  

Switzerland 

Office Of The High Commissioner For Human Rights 

Switzerland 

United Nations High Commissioner For Refugees 

Switzerland 

United Nations Office For Disaster Risk Reduction 

Switzerland 

United Nations, Office For The Coordination Of Humanitarian Affairs 

Switzerland 

World Health Organization 

USA 

USA 

USA 

USA 

USA 

USA 

UN Women 

UNDP Multi Partner Trust Fund Office 

Unicef 

United Nations - Pan American Health Organization 

United Nations Development Programme 

United Nations Mine Action Service 

6 DG ECHO partners implementing EU-funded humanitarian aid operations during 2021. 

13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
USA 

USA 

United Nations Office For Project Services 

United Nations Population Fund 

United Nations Agencies 

Country 

Name 

Non-Governmental Organisations 

Austria 

Austria 

Austria 

Austria 

Austria 

Austria 

Austria 

Belgium 

Belgium 

Belgium 

Belgium 

Belgium 

Belgium 

Belgium 

Belgium 

Belgium 

Belgium 

Belgium 

Czechia 

Czechia 

Care Österreich 

Caritas Österreich 

Hilfswerk Austria International 

Hope'87 - Hundreds Of Original Projects For Employment 

Oesterreichisches Rotes Kreuz  

SOS-Kinderdorf International 

World Vision Österreich 

Aviation sans Frontières Belgique/Piloten zonder Grenzen België 

Caritas International  

Croix Rouge de Belgique - Communauté Francophone 

Handicap International  

Médecins du Monde - Dokters Van De Wereld 

Médecins Sans Frontières Belgique/Artsen Zonder Grenzen Belgie  

Nonviolent Peaceforce 

OXFAM-Solidarité 

Plan International Belgium vzw 

Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgique - Dierenartsen Zonder Grenzen België 

Vzw Rode-Kruis Vlaanderen Internationaal 

Charita Ceska Republika 

Človek V Tísni, O.P.S. 

Denmark 

Adra Danmark 

Denmark 

CARE Danmark - Fonden For Frivillig Ulandsbistand 

Denmark 

Danish Committee For Aid To Afghan Refugees 

Denmark 

Dansk Flygtningehjaelp 

Denmark 

Dansk Rode Kors 

Denmark 

Folkekirkens Nodhjaelp 

Denmark 

Mission Ost Forening 

Denmark 

Red Barnet 

Kirkon Ulkomaanapu Sr 

Pelastakaa Lapset - Rädda Barnen 

Plan Suomi Säätiö 

Suomen Punainen Risti   

Acted 

Action Contre la Faim 

Agronomes et Vétérinaires Sans Frontières 

Aide Medicale Internationale 

Care France 

Caritas France - Secours Catholique 

Croix-Rouge Française 

Fédération Handicap International 

Finland 

Finland 

Finland 

Finland 

France 

France 

France 

France 

France 

France 

France 

France 

14 

 
 
 
 
 
Non-Governmental Organisations 

France 

France 

France 

France 

France 

France 

France 

France 

France 

France 

France 

France 

France 

France 

France 

France 

Handicap International 

Immap France 

Initiative Développement 

Institut Bioforce 

Internews Europe 

La Chaine de L'espoir 

Médecins du Monde 

Médecins Sans Frontières 

MRCA/Relief International 

Première Urgence Internationale 

Première Urgence  

Solidarités International 

SOS SAHEL International France 

Telecoms Sans Frontières 

The Alliance For International Medical Action  

Triangle Génération Humanitaire 

Germany 

ADRA Deutschland E.V. 

Germany 

Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund Deutschland e.V. 

Germany 

Care Deutschland E.V. 

Germany 

DEUTSCHE WELTHUNGERHILFE E.V. 

Germany 

DEUTSCHER CARITASVERBAND E.V. 

Germany 

Deutsches Rotes Kreuz 

Germany 

Evangelisches Werk Für Diakonie Und Entwicklung E.V. 

Germany 

Help- Hilfe Zur Selbsthilfe E.V.  

Germany 

International Rescue Committee IRC Deutschland Ggmbh 

Germany 

Islamic Relief Humanitäre Organisation In Deutschland E.V. 

Germany 

JOHANNITER-UNFALL-HILFE E.V. 

Germany 

MALTESER HILFSDIENST E.V.  

Germany 

MEDAIR E.V. 

Germany 

Medico International e.V 

Germany 

Plan International Deutschland E.V. 

Germany 

Save The Children Deutschland E.V. 

Germany 

Tearfund Deutschland E.V. 

Germany 

Transparency International e.V. 

Germany 

World Vision 

THE SMILE OF THE CHILD 

ΓΙΑΤΡΟΙ ΤΟΥ ΚΟΣΜΟΥ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΑΝΤΙΠΡΟΣΩΠΕΙΑ 

ΜΕΤΑδραση - Δράση για τη Μετανάστευση και την Ανάπτυξη 

Concern Worldwide 

Goal 

Plan Ireland Charitable Assistance 

Trocaire 

Actionaid International Italia Onlus 

Associazione Internazionale Volontari Laici- Servizio Di Pace 

Associazione Italiana Per La Solidarietà Tra I Popoli 

Cesvi Fondazione Onlus 

Greece 

Greece 

Greece 

Ireland 

Ireland 

Ireland 

Ireland 

Italy 

Italy 

Italy 

Italy 

15 

 
 
 
 
Italy 

Italy 

Italy 

Italy 

Italy 

Italy 

Italy 

Italy 

Italy 

Italy 

Italy 

Non-Governmental Organisations 

Comitato Internazionale Per Lo Sviluppo Dei Popoli 

Cooperazione Internazionale 

EMERGENCY - Life Support For Civilian War Victims ONG ONLUS 

Fondazione Avsi 

Fondazione Opera San Francesco Saverio 

Fondazione Terre Des Hommes Italia Onlus 

Intersos 

Oxfam Italia Onlus Associazione 

Save The Children Italia ONLUS 

Un Ponte Per 

Weworld-GVC Onlus 

Luxembourg 

Aide Internationale de la Croix-Rouge Luxembourgeoise A.S.B.L. 

Luxembourg 

Fondation Caritas Luxembourg 

Netherlands 

Artsen Zonder Grenzen 

Netherlands 

Het Nederlandse Rode Kruis 

Netherlands 

International Ngo Safety Organisation 

Netherlands 

Save The Children  

Netherlands 

Stichting Care Nederland 

Netherlands 

Stichting CORDAID 

Netherlands 

Stichting Nederlandse Vrienden Der SOS Kinderdorpen 

Netherlands 

Stichting Oxfam Novib 

Netherlands 

Stichting Plan International Nederland 

Netherlands 

Stichting TEAR fund Nederland 

Netherlands 

Stichting Terre Des Hommes Nederland 

Netherlands 

Stichting War Child 

Netherlands 

Stichting World Vision Nederland 

Netherlands 

Zoa 

Kirkens Nødhjelp 

Norges Rode Kors 

Norsk Folkehjelp 

Norwegian Refugee Council  

Redd Barna 

Polska Akcja Humanitarna 

Fundação Aga Khan Portugal 

Oikos - Cooperação E Desenvolvimento 

Acción Contra El Hambre  

Asociación para la Cooperación con el Sur “LAS SEGOVIAS” 

Ayuda En Acción 

Caritas Española 

Cruz Roja Española 

Entreculturas- Fe Y Alegria 

Federación de Asociaciones Medicus Mundi Espana 

Fundación Oxfam Intermon 

Fundación Alianza Por Los Derechos, La Iguald Y La Solidaridad Internacional 

Fundación Educación Y Cooperación - Educo 

Fundación Plan International España 

Norway 

Norway 

Norway 

Norway 

Norway 

Poland 

Portugal 

Portugal 

Spain 

Spain 

Spain 

Spain 

Spain 

Spain 

Spain 

Spain 

Spain 

Spain 

Spain 

16 

 
 
 
 
Non-Governmental Organisations 

Spain 

Spain 

Spain 

Spain 

Spain 

Sweden 

Sweden 

Sweden 

Sweden 

Sweden 

Sweden 

Fundación Save The Children 

Médicos el Mundo España 

Médicos Sin Fronteras 

Movimiento Por la paz, el Desarme y la Libertad 

Solidaridad Internacional Andalucía 

Läkarmissionen 

Plan International Sverige Insamlingsstiftelse 

PMU Interlife/PINGST FFS 

Radda Barnens Riksforbund 

Svenska Kyrkan 

Svenska Röda Korsets Centralstyrelse 

Switzerland 

Appel De Genève / Geneva Call 

Switzerland 

Association Médecins Sans Frontières 

Switzerland 

Caritas Schweiz 

Switzerland 

Fondation Suisse de Déminage 

Switzerland 

Lutheran World Federation 

Switzerland 

Medair 

Switzerland 

Solidar Suisse 

Switzerland 

Terre Des Hommes 

Switzerland 

The International Catholic Migration Commission 

Switzerland 

Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Suisse 

Action Against Hunger 

ActionAid 

Afghanaid 

Aga Khan Foundation  

Agency for Co-operation and Research in Development 

BBC Media Action 

British Red Cross  

Care International 

Catholic Agency For Overseas Development 

Christian Aid  

Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for Disaster 

Health Limited 

Helpage International 

International Medical Corps 

International Rescue Committee 

Islamic Relief Worldwide 

MapAction 

Medical Emergency Relief International 

Mercy Corps Europe  

Mines Advisory Group 

Mission Aviation Fellowship International 

Muslim Aid 

Muslim Hands 

OXFAM 

Plan International 

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

17 

 
 
 
 
Non-Governmental Organisations 

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

Practical Action 

RedR - Engineers for Disaster Relief 

Relief International 

Tearfund 

The Halo Trust 

The Save The Children Fund 

United Purpose 

Welfare Association 

World Vision 

18