Kristalina Georgieva, International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response
(Bulgaria, People’s Party)

Background

Prior to becoming Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response Kristalina Georgieva, who holds a doctorate in Environmental Protection Policy and Economic Growth, served as Vice President and Corporate Secretary of the World Bank Group. Georgieva, who began working there in 1993, held various other positions, including that of an environmental economist and Director of Environment and Social Development.

 

Stated objectives on taking office

• To oversee the establishment of a European Voluntary Humanitarian Corps in accordance with article 214 of the Lisbon Treaty;
• To strengthen the capacity to cope with the humanitarian impact of climate change;
• To ensure continuous investment in disaster risk reduction;
• To advocate for a greater respect of international humanitarian law;
• To present proposals on the renewal of the Civil Protection Mechanism and the Civil Protection Financial Instrument, and to work with the European Parliament and Council to establish a financing instrument for humanitarian aid.

Members of the Cabinet

Florika FINK-HOOIJER, Head of Cabinet
Herve DELPHIN, Deputy Head of Cabinet, Humanitarian assistance, Civilian-military cooperation, relations with the UN, international organizations and other EU institutions
Martijn QUINN, Member, Disaster response
Mariana HRISTCHEVA, Member, Financial control
Dessy CHOUMELOVA, Member, Humanitarian law, Refugees, Legal affairs
Denis CHAIBI, Member, Food assistance, Health and Sanitation, ECHO offices worldwide

Ferran TARRADELLAS ESPUNY, Spokesperson

 

Main actions to date

• Adopting a Communication on Humanitarian Food Assistance which examines food shortages in emergency situations as well as recovering from emergencies and the prevention of subsequent crises. Identifying the close ties between humanitarian and development assistance, the Communication provides direction for achieving long-term food security and building stronger national capacities for mitigating food stresses;
• Presenting the seventh DIPECHO (Disaster Preparedness ECHO) Action Plan which will target the most vulnerable local communities in El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama;
• Working to provide aid to Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating 2010 earthquake and promising to make the EU’s response to such disasters faster, more coherent and more visible in the future.

What to expect

After Georgieva’s confirmation hearing at the European Parliament, it was widely acknowledged that she performed considerably better than Rumiana Jeleva, Bulgaria’s first choice for the job who was forced to withdraw her candidacy amid questions about her qualifications and business dealings.  During her five-year term, one of the primary tasks facing Georgieva will be dealing with natural and man-made disasters which, in the context of climate change and the increasing incidence of man-made disasters as a result of international terrorism, has become increasingly challenging. Furthermore, as the whole world looks to the EU as an aid-donor in international disasters, Commissioner Georgieva has the difficult task of coordinating humanitarian aid and civil protection and making the best use of available resources. Her credibility as a good manager and her commitment to deliver efficient aid will be crucial to promote trust and confidence and therefore achieve a high-level of coordination. In this regard, Georgieva’s experience at the World Bank will be an important asset.