The results of an Eurobarometer survey shows that, public support for humanitarian aid has gone up in the European Union in spite of the economic crisis. In addition, the results also show that there is a firm endorsement of the Commission's role in coordinating EU humanitarian aid; 71% — up 13 percentage points since 2010.

According to the results of the latest Eurobarometer survey on humanitarian aid and civil protection, 88% of citizens believes it is important for the European Union to continue funding humanitarian aid, a rise of nine percentage points since the last survey in 2010.

Kristalina Georgieva, European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, stated in the light of these results that she is proud for Europe that there is such a strong commitment and support for humanitarian aid and civil protection despite the difficulties we face today. The Eurobarometer survey results also show that 84% of citizens supports maintaining humanitarian aid funding in spite of the current economic crisis and pressures on public finances.

A strong majority of respondents also supports an initiative to involve young people in EU humanitarian operations within an EU voluntary aid corps. For civil protection, 82% agree that coordinated EU action in dealing with disasters is more effective than actions by individual countries.