Humanitarian aid in a time of polycrisis – reaffirming our principles for a more effective and ambitious response to humanitarian crises

The European Parliament adopted by 444 votes to 153, with 55 abstentions, on humanitarian aid in a time of polycrisis - reaffirming our principles for a more effective and ambitious response to humanitarian crises.

Ensuring respect for international humanitarian law and responding to the need for an EU humanitarian diplomatic strategy

Recalling that the EU and its Member States remain the world's largest donor of humanitarian aid, Parliament called on the Union to continue to strengthen the centrality of the non-negotiable humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence and the promotion of international humanitarian law by applying a principles-based and needs-based humanitarian approach, and by refraining from entering into partnerships that would undermine these principles.

Parliament expressed concern about the increase in violations of international humanitarian law in recent years and deplored the shrinking humanitarian space and the erosion of respect for international humanitarian law and humanitarian principles. They strongly condemned the alarming rise in attacks against civilian populations and infrastructure essential to their survival, serious violations against children, and attacks against humanitarian workers.

The Commission and Member States are invited to strengthen actions aimed at preventing violations of international humanitarian law and addressing gaps in monitoring violations of international humanitarian law.

Expressing their concern about the increasing threats, harassment and criminalisation of human rights defenders and humanitarian volunteers in conflict and crisis situations, Members called on the EU to make their protection a priority of its humanitarian engagement.

Parliament reaffirmed its support for multilateralism and called on the Commission to continue providing essential support to various United Nations entities in the humanitarian field. It demanded the unimpeded and large-scale delivery of humanitarian aid, under United Nations coordination and in accordance with humanitarian principles.

Parliament reiterated its call for the Commission to develop an EU humanitarian diplomacy strategy, with the aim of guaranteeing access to humanitarian aid, protecting humanitarian workers, and preserving humanitarian space in armed conflicts. They urged the Commission to address the shortcomings in monitoring violations of international humanitarian law.

Humanitarian aid funding

While welcoming the suggested increase in humanitarian funding to EUR 25 billion for a Global Europe Instrument, Parliament called for a significant increase in the level of humanitarian funding in the next MFF and for ensured funding that is adequate, predictable and sustained.

The Commission is invited to:

- maintain separate budget lines and instruments for humanitarian aid in order to respect the principles of neutrality, independence and impartiality; Members oppose the proposal to merge the EU Humanitarian Aid Instrument with the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument Global Europe in the next MFF;

- ensure that the increased flexibility provided for in the next MFF benefits the Union's humanitarian action, by strengthening transparency to ensure that the next MFF is protected against abuse, fraud and violations of the principles of the rule of law and the Union's values;

- strengthen its control mechanisms and ensure rigorous selection of local partners, and strict monitoring of the use of funds;

- establish dedicated financing, programming and coordination mechanisms to meet the specific needs of children in humanitarian crisis situations.

Parliament called on Member States to uphold their collective commitment to dedicate at least 0.7% of gross national income (GNI) to ODA, to meet the ODA target of providing 0.2% of GNI to the least developed countries by 2030 and to dedicate 10% of their ODA to humanitarian action.

Developing an integrated approach to fragile contexts

Parliament stressed the importance of developing an integrated strategy to address fragility and conflict with adapted context-specific funding that addresses the interconnected challenges of peace, development, climate action and humanitarian needs, including by engaging more closely with the local private sector and taking gender into account.

The Commission should ensure that countries are not trapped in endless cycles of humanitarian aid but can instead progress towards sustainable development, with the aim of strengthening local communities and preventing dependence on external supplies through the funding of essential services such as education, health and critical infrastructure.

Parliament called for more effective humanitarian responses through enforcing linkages between humanitarian aid, development, and peacebuilding, decentralising aid delivery, and implementing preventative measures. It urged the Commission to: (i) uphold its commitment to allocate at least 25% of its humanitarian funding to local actors by 2027; (ii) prioritise multiannual funding for conflict prevention and peacebuilding in the next Multiannual Financial Framework; and (iii) ensure that investments in prevention, preventative measures, and disaster preparedness are maintained to mitigate the impact of crises on populations and systems.

Lastly, 25 years after UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000), Parliament called for the systematic integration of a gender perspective into humanitarian aid issues. It urged the Commission and the EEAS to continue prioritising the promotion of gender equality and women's rights and empowerment across all EU external action. Priority should be given to the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

Text adopted by Parliament, single reading