The first European Humanitarian Forum, which continued on Wednesday 23 March with thematic humanitarian dialogues, provided an opportunity for the European Union to reaffirm its position as the world’s largest donor and to reflect, together with the international humanitarian community, on ways to increase aid effectiveness in a global context of increasing crises, violations of humanitarian law, record humanitarian needs, and a growing funding gap (see EUROPE 12915/2, 12845/17).
This Forum, organised by the French Presidency and the European Commission, aimed to respond to these challenges identified by the Commission in its March 2021 Communication, well before the outbreak of war in Ukraine, at the EU’s doorstep (see EUROPE 12675/1).
“The world is thus witnessing Russia’s brutal military aggression against Ukraine, which is endangering the lives of millions of people. In this war and in many other conflicts, gross violations of international humanitarian law are being committed, with attacks on civilians, hospitals, schools and humanitarian workers”, said the European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič.
According to him: “It is imperative that the entire international community mobilises more to reverse these worrying trends and ensure that the most vulnerable are never abandoned”.
The French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian, said that “the momentum will continue, including support of refugees. However, this crisis has brought with it another: that of food insecurity, for which Russia alone bears full responsibility”.
The Commission and the French Presidency welcomed a new impetus to the reflection on the following topics:
Ensure an enabling environment for humanitarian action. Participants committed themselves to upholding respect for international humanitarian law, the safety of humanitarian workers, and to promoting the Humanitarian Action Appeal.
Aid effectiveness. The European Humanitarian Response Capacity will allow the European Commission to intervene directly in filling critical gaps in the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Increasing resources and using them better. To fill the funding gap, participants called for the mobilisation of new donors, particularly from emerging countries, innovative and flexible funding and the establishment of multi-year partnerships to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the humanitarian response.
Adapting to the effects of climate change. Participants stressed the importance of anticipating the effects of climate change, which exacerbates conflict and displacement. The Climate and Environment Charter for Humanitarian Organizations, launched by the ICRC and IFRC, and the Statement of Commitment on Climate by Humanitarian Organisations were presented at the Forum. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)