The Emergency Aid Reserve is intended to allow for a rapid response to specific aid requirements of third countries following events which could not be foreseen when the budget was established, first and foremost for humanitarian operations, but also for civil crisis management and protection, and situations of particular pressure resulting from migratory flows at the Union's external borders where circumstances so require.
Beartaítear leis an gCúlchiste um Chabhair Éigeandála go mbeifear in ann freagairt mhear a thabhairt ar riachtanais shonracha chabhrach na dtríú tíortha tar éis imeachtaí nach bhféadfaí a réamh-mheas nuair a bunaíodh an buiséad, le haghaidh oibríochtaí daonnúla ar an gcéad dul síos, ach le haghaidh bhainistiú géarchéime sibhialta agus chosaint shibhialta freisin, agus le haghaidh cásanna a mbeidh brú faoi leith ag baint leo a eascróidh as sreafaí imirce ag teorainneacha seachtracha an Aontais i gcás ina n-éileofar sin leis na himthosca.