Humanitarian aid: Council of the EU approves conclusions on strengthening EU action amid global challenges
The Council of the European Union today approved conclusions on the European Commission and High Representative’s joint communication on EU humanitarian action in a shifting global order, reaffirming the EU’s commitment to remaining a reliable and predictable humanitarian donor at a time of growing needs and severe pressure on global humanitarian funding.
“At a time when humanitarian needs are growing and the global humanitarian system is under unprecedented pressure, the EU must continue to lead by example,” said Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee, representing the Irish presidency at the Council of the European Union. “With these conclusions, we reaffirm our values and our commitment to principled humanitarian action and the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers. Our responsibility is not only to respond to today’s crises, but also to help build resilience and address the root causes of tomorrow’s.”
The conclusions underline the EU’s continued commitment to international humanitarian law and the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. The Council calls for stronger, coordinated Team Europe humanitarian diplomacy, systematically integrating humanitarian priorities into the EU’s external relations to promote respect for international humanitarian law, secure humanitarian access and protect civilians and humanitarian personnel. It also welcomes the permanent establishment of the ‘protect aid workers’ mechanism.
Against the backdrop of severe funding constraints, the Council calls for the timely implementation of the Humanitarian Reset, UN80 and Grand Bargain reforms, aimed at making humanitarian action more effective, locally led and accountable to affected populations. In this respect, the Council supports stronger partnerships with local and national actors.
Furthermore, the Council endorses the European Commission’s objective of channelling at least 25% of EU humanitarian funding as directly as possible to local and national actors by 2027. It also calls for more flexible and predictable funding, greater use of pooled funds and cash assistance, and progress towards channelling at least two thirds of humanitarian funding through transformative modalities.
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