Speaking before the European Parliament’s Development Committee (DEVE) on Tuesday 17 March, Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, and Tom Fletcher, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, sounded the alarm about the suffocation of the global humanitarian system.
“The funding gap has widened dramatically”, warned the Commissioner, pointing out that the ten largest donors had reduced their contributions by $9 billion in one year. This massive disengagement, particularly on the part of the United States, comes at a time when “more than 130 active conflicts” and climate-related disasters have left 293 million people in need of assistance.
Tom Fletcher described the situation as “a period of brutality, indifference and polarisation”, stressing that the UN can now only target the 87 million most vulnerable people. A readjustment that primarily affects “women and children”.
Ms Lahbib reaffirmed that the EU would remain a “reliable donor” and that it would be presenting a new communication in the spring focusing on respect for international humanitarian law, effective supply chains and an integrated approach to fragility. She stressed that humanitarian crises cannot be resolved without “political engagement” and “diplomatic support”.
In response, Leire Pajín (S&D, Spanish) noted the Commissioner’s clarity on “humanitarian diplomacy” and the importance of strengthening the link between “humanitarian aid, peace and development”.
Udo Bullmann (S&D, German) was more incisive, warning against using private funds or other “innovative” solutions as an “alibi for inaction” by the EU on the ground.
While he welcomed Ms Lahbib’s speech, Erik Marquardt (Greens/EFA, German) pointed to a discrepancy within the European Commission, saying that its President, Ursula von der Leyen, had herself “questioned international law”. He deplored a “break in multilateralism” and a certain “blindness” on the part of the latter in the face of the current crises.
Finally, György Hölvényi (PfE, Hungarian) expressed concern that other political priorities would absorb humanitarian funds in the next financial framework, arguing that “education in emergencies remains a priority”. (Original version in French by Justine Manaud)