Application of the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism During the Humanitarian Crisis in Ukraine

Jazić Aleksandar (Institute of International Politics and Economics, Belgrade, Serbia), jazic@diplomacy.bg.ac.rs

This study examines the various aspects of the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and the European Union’s mechanisms of support designed to mitigate the catastrophic human, material, and other impacts of the conflict. The EU’s assistance is demonstrated not only in the reception and accommodation of a substantial number of refugees but also in the provision of humanitarian, financial, and technical aid to Ukraine and its neighboring countries. The author highlights that the EU’s crisis management efforts have helped stabilize the situation in Ukraine, not merely through monetary support but also through other aid instruments. From the perspective of neofunctionalism, the EU has developed tools to address collective challenges that exceed the capacities of individual member states. one such tool is the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, which the EU extensively relies upon for delivering humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. Nevertheless, as the author points out, a significant share of European aid, essential for the well-being of the population and the operation of public services, faces substantial obstacles in reaching Ukraine due to serious security, logistical, and other constraints. In this regard, employing deductive-inductive reasoning and analytical methods, the author aims to demonstrate that the EU Civil Protection Mechanism has played a critical role in facilitating humanitarian aid delivery. The efficiency of instruments like the Civil Protection Mechanism, as argued by the author, underscores the preparedness and capability of European institutions to respond in emergency situations and emphasizes the significance of coordinated action among member states.

Keywords: war in Ukraine, European Union instruments, humanitarian aid, financial aid, refugees, civil protection