The European Year for Development: Humanitarian Aid

Briefing 17-07-2015

Within EU external relations, humanitarian aid has a distinctive nature: it is based solely on humanitarian principles, responding to needs, rather than political objectives. In the last decade, the global humanitarian situation has deteriorated; more than 100 million people need assistance this year. Despite growing humanitarian funds, the system is overstretched and many needs cannot be met. The World Humanitarian Summit, to be held in in 2016, will be an occasion to reflect on new challenges and discuss new funding solutions. The EU and its Member States together constitute the world's leading humanitarian donor. EU aid reaches more than 120 million people, ensures 'forgotten crises' are not completely left behind, and mainstreams disaster prevention and resilience building. The European Parliament is strong supporter of principled humanitarian aid, and has supported setting aside adequate sums. Parliament's report on the WHS will feed into the European debate on how to achieve more effective humanitarian action.