Changes from report parliamentary committee draft to plenary report

Amidst the gravest crisis of the multilateral humanitarian system, advocating for humanitarian aid and its fundamental principles has become more needed than ever.

This report is being prepared at an unprecedented time in history; a time of profound tragedy for millions of vulnerable human beings around the world and one of existential danger to the humanitarian sector. The plight of millions affected by humanitarian crises demands urgent attention, especially in light of the unprecedented global reduction in foreign aid, and in particular the dismantlement of USAID.

This report aims to reshape the narrative surrounding humanitarian aid to emphasise its principles and its critical role in saving lives.

To do so, it proposes three fundamental pillars: humanitarian principles and international humanitarian law; developing more ambitious and effective humanitarian responses; the role of women in humanitarian assistance.

We must recommit to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, and do our utmost to ensure that they are respected in humanitarian settings. Upholding these tenets is essential because their erosion is closely linked to the increasing humanitarian needs we are witnessing globally. In recent years, we have witnessed severe violations of international humanitarian law worldwide, particularly in some contexts.

The number of challenges to the multilateral humanitarian system and to the EU’s humanitarian action continues to be great. These challenges include securing adequate humanitarian funding (Humanitarian funding), developing an EU approach to fragile contexts (Developing an integrated approach to fragile contexts), promoting effective humanitarian action, the implementation of the humanitarian-development-peace nexus, the localisation of aid and anticipatory action (Promoting effective humanitarian responses through the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) nexus, localisation of aid and anticipatory action).

We must enhance our efforts to develop more effective humanitarian responses, but striving for effectiveness cannot come at the expense of our adherence to humanitarian principles, transparency, credibility as a global humanitarian actor and engagement in humanitarian settings.

Finally, the third pillar highlights the critical role of women in humanitarian assistance. Traditionally regarded as a vulnerable group in crises, women are also essential actors in delivering humanitarian aid and ensuring that agendas for peace and security are advanced.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Resolution 1325. This report intends to revisit the agenda it proposed and to acknowledge the work still to be done.

This report aims to make a principled statement. The pressing circumstances confronting millions of vulnerable people as well as the humanitarian sector as a whole are too significant and urgent to be overshadowed by political considerations.

What is at stake also extends beyond immediate assistance and the lives of millions of people; it involves the credibility of the European Union on the global stage as a key humanitarian actor.

The European Parliament is one of many actors that can shape the humanitarian landscape; its will to do so must remain unwavering.