On the General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2026

The Committee on Development calls on the Committee on Budgets, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following into its motion for a resolution:

A.whereas geopolitical instability is increasing, with traditional major donors such as USAID disengaging, whereas this puts pressure on the EU as a principled global actor; whereas it is in Europe’s strategic interest to project its values by strengthening stable and reliable international partnerships,

B.whereas, according to UN OCHA, nearly 300 million people require urgent humanitarian assistance and protection, driven by intensifying conflicts, forced displacements, and an increasing number of disasters related to extreme weather events; whereas only 12% of humanitarian requirements were funded by mid-2025; whereas the unprecedented funding gaps leave millions of people in need without assistance; whereas the EU remains committed to upholding the humanitarian principles of neutrality, independence and impartiality;

1. Notes that the margin for Heading 6 in the draft budget is merely EUR 109 million; recalls that the NDICI-GE cushion is nearly exhausted (13% remaining availability until 2027); deplores that the current MFF leaves only limited room for coping with unforeseen challenges, which weakens the EU as an external actor in times of polycrises;

2. Stresses that a considerable reinforcement of humanitarian aid is needed as humanitarian crises continue to intensify and are further undermining global and regional stability, as well as Europe's longer-term interests; in this regard, requests that the Emergency Aid reserve (EUR 595 million for 2026) be mobilised entirely for humanitarian needs in third countries;

3. Expresses concern that, following the MFF mid-term revision and the resulting redeployments, the geographic programmes for Sub-Saharan Africa have been reduced over the period 2024-2027; recalls that NDICI-GE Regulation Article 6.2 (a) constitutes a legal obligation for the overall financial envelope assigned to Sub-Saharan Africa to reach “at least 29.18 billion” by 2027; underlines the need to mobilise both the cushion and the margin to reach this amount;

4. Underlines the need for a meaningful presence of EU Delegations to maintain partnerships worldwide, to monitor and manage development cooperation;

5. Highlights the need to invest in human development, as the US withdrawal from foreign aid will impact, in particular, healthcare and the control and prevention of diseases, nutrition, and education, with women and children suffering disproportionately.