Message from Commissioner Stylianides

When people are caught up in crises and disasters we have a moral obligation to help.

In our area of work, this is our core mission: to save and preserve lives. This is also the most tangible expression of European solidarity. Universally shared values of solidarity and compassion are the essence of humanity.

This collection is about all those who live these values and embody them every day in their work. These are the people who risk their lives to save those of others by providing the most vulnerable people in the world, who are caught up in crises or have been forced to flee their homes, with food, shelter, water, medicine and protection. This is for those who help children affected by wars and other disasters by providing them with care and education so that they have a chance for a brighter future. And for those who work tirelessly to save others hit by natural disasters like forest fires, floods and earthquakes.