The Presidents of the European Commission, European Parliament and Council of the European Union on behalf of the 27 EU Member States signed on the 18th of December 2007 a 'European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid'. The Consensus sets out a common EU vision and a practical approach for reaching out effectively to millions of people worldwide suffering as a result of conflicts and natural disasters. 

Around half of official international humanitarian aid is provided by the EU, either through the European Commission or bilaterally by Member States. So far this year, the European Commission alone has distributed more than €700 million in humanitarian relief aid. The funds are used to help crisis victims throughout the world – ranging from the provision of food and healthcare in Darfur, to meeting the immediate needs of cyclone victims in Bangladesh for clean water and essential household items.

In adopting the European Consensus - putting in place for the first time a comprehensive joint EU policy statement on humanitarian aid - the EU is showing its strong commitment to working closely together to help others. This EU Consensus was elaborated through a wide-ranging consultation of Member States and humanitarian organisations about the main issues confronting donor and implementing organisations. The objective of the consultation was to provide groundwork for a Communication to the Council and the European Parliament. This extensive consultation process of the EC's humanitarian partners and Member States has shown considerable consensus on the challenges faced by humanitarians and on the need for a clear EU stance on these. The consultation with the humanitarian agencies was facilitated by the Voluntary Organisations in Cooperation in Emergencies (VOICE).

The EU consensus stressed that humanitarian action should follow a set of internationally recognised standards and principles such as the of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organisations in Disaster Relief and the Sphere Project where it states in article 40:

"Addressing the issues of speed and quality are both critical in delivering humanitarian aid effectively. As donors we have the responsibility to ensure that aid delivered represents the best available option and is suitable for the purpose it is intended. Therefore, humanitarian action should follow a set of internationally recognised standards and principles. These have been encapsulated in the 'Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organisations in Disaster Relief and broadly incorporated in the 'Humanitarian Charter'. Widely recognised minimum standards in Disaster Response have been set out in general and per sector including through the Sphere Project. These principles for aid provision correlate to the internationally accepted OECD/DAC criteria for the evaluation of Humanitarian Aid. The EU also notes positively the work on International Disaster Response Laws, Rules and Principles (IDRL)."