Accountability

Annual reports

In order to ensure transparency and accountability on how European aid funds were spent, at the end of each year the European Commission's department for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) establishes an annual report. The report is available to the public, presenting how the budget was spent and which activities were carried out.

Audits

The European Commission's department for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations is regularly subject to an annual detailed review of procedures and validation of its expenditure. Audits are carried out by the European Court of Auditors, as well as the Internal Audit Service of the Commission. ECHO also carries out partners' audits to assess whether grants have been spent in accordance with laid down rules, and to provide recommendations to improve the financial management by partners.

Strategy

The European Commission's department for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations is committed to developing every year a strategic plan in order to co-ordinate and to programme its activities efficiently and in an appropriate manner adopting an impartial approach based on needs. To ensure maximum transparency, the department's annual strategies are available to the public.

Protecting individuals from sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment

Protecting individuals from sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment is a key priority for the European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO).

These acts are serious abuses of power that cause significant harm to victims/survivors and their communities, particularly in fragile and crisis situations where power imbalances are more evident. Women, children, and other vulnerable groups are especially at risk.

To address these challenges, ECHO has developed a guidance note on the 'protection from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment'.

Reporting sexual misconduct related to ECHO-funded actions

If you are a victim or a witness of (potential) sexual misconduct related to

DG ECHO partners or projects, please contact ECHO-REPORTMISCONDUCTec [dot] europa [dot] eu (ECHO-REPORTMISCONDUCT[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)
DG ECHO field staff, please contact ECHO-FIELD-ETHICSec [dot] europa [dot] eu (ECHO-FIELD-ETHICS[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)

For such reporting, there are no specific requirements to be met, apart from providing as precise and detailed information as possible. If you have already submitted a complaint with DG ECHO partner, please share with us the reference.

Report fraud

If you have witnessed or suspect fraud related to EU funding, please report it via the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) Fraud Notification System.

You can report anonymously in any of the EU's official languages.

For further information, please visit: Report fraud - European Commission.