Brussels, 08/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - EU citizens are not backing down when it comes to humanitarian aid - quite the contrary! According to two Eurobarometer surveys, the findings of which were published by the European Commission on Friday 8 June, nearly 9 citizens out of ten (88%) consider it is important for the EU to continue funding humanitarian aid (i.e. a rise of nine percentage points sine the last survey in 2010). Almost as many (84%) believe humanitarian aid funding should be maintained in spite of the current economic crisis and pressures on public finances.
The surveys covered public support for EU humanitarian aid and for EU activity in the field of civil protection. They were carried out between 25 February and 11 March in 27 member states and, in both cases, a representative sample of 26,751 people were interviewed face to face. Such results are reassuring for the EU as ECHO (the Commission's civil humanitarian aid service) reaches its 20th anniversary.
“I am proud for Europe that there is such a strong commitment and support for humanitarian aid and civil protection despite the difficulties we face today. We do not take such generosity for granted”, said Kristalina Georgieva, European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response.
Humanitarian aid. The role played by the European Commission in coordinating EU humanitarian aid enjoys open and massive support from 71% of respondents (+13% compared to 2010), and a strong majority (88%) also supports an initiative to involve young people in EU humanitarian operations within an EU voluntary aid corps (an innovation introduced by the Lisbon Treaty). Over two thirds of respondents (68%) know that the EU funds humanitarian aid action and about a third feel well informed about EU humanitarian aid activities, up 12 percentage points since the previous survey.
Civil protection. It is recognised by 82% that coordinated EU action in dealing with disasters is more effective than action by individual countries, and 92% agree that not all countries have sufficient national means to deal with a major disaster on their own. The majority (84%) agree that EU member states should be obliged by law to prepare and publish disaster management plans.
Man-made disasters in the EU, such as oil spills and nuclear accidents, give cause for concern to 75% of respondents. Floods and earthquakes come next with 67%, while 64% of respondents say they are most concerned about terrorist attacks, and 59% about armed conflicts. Only four respondents out of ten (38%) know about the EU's coordination of civil protection, and only 19% consider they are well-informed about what the EU is doing. In both surveys, television and the internet were cited as the preferred sources of information, followed by the written press and radio.
The European Commission participates in the funding of humanitarian aid operations throughout the world. In the field of civil protection, its main mission is to coordinate implementation of assistance to disaster victims, not only in EU member states but also in third countries.
The results of the Eurobarometer surveys are accessible on line at: