Brussels: Europe and the Arabs

The joint statement on humanitarian aid, adopted in Brussels, outlines how the European Union will remain a reliable and principled donor in a global aid system facing severe strain. According to the European Commission, humanitarian needs have reached record levels, with 239 million people worldwide requiring assistance. However, current global humanitarian funding is only sufficient to help less than half of those in need, leaving millions without life-saving support. The number and duration of crises are increasing, while funding cuts and insecurity are making it increasingly difficult to deliver life-saving aid.

The European Commission and the High Representative are responding by offering practical solutions to ensure that principled humanitarian aid reaches those in need around the world. This is based on three pillars: protection, implementation, and partnership.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated: “As the world’s leading humanitarian donor, the EU continues to stand up for the dignity of those in need, as well as those who risk their lives to help them. With this package, we are ensuring that life-saving aid is delivered more efficiently, even in the most challenging circumstances. At the same time, we are building resilience to reduce dependence on aid.”

Protection
The EU will take concrete steps to ensure the safe and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid. This means intensifying humanitarian diplomacy efforts within a collaborative Team Europe framework. All available tools will be used, including political and legal dialogues, international advocacy, coordination in multilateral forums, and mediation for peace and stability.

The EU will also strengthen measures and funding dedicated to the safety of humanitarian workers, from preventing security incidents to providing care for victims. The voices of those affected matter – the EU will work to strengthen the role of local actors in the humanitarian response, empower communities, and ensure that our response is inclusive, especially for the most vulnerable.

By reforming humanitarian supply chains, the EU will maximize cost-effectiveness, from procurement to final delivery. The EU will also expand funding mechanisms that enhance the efficiency and predictability of aid and uphold the dignity of beneficiaries, including cash assistance, proactive measures, multi-year funding, mutual funds, and support for local actors. Further support will be provided for collective services that enable the delivery of humanitarian aid, including the provision of high-quality, shared data on people’s needs.

The EU will support resilience and peacebuilding, as well as sustainable solutions to reduce dependence on humanitarian aid. The EU will work more closely with international financial institutions, the private sector, and philanthropic foundations to find innovative ways to provide funding to fragile regions and the most vulnerable people, helping them transition from vulnerability to resilience. The European Humanitarian Taskforce can achieve more through collaboration, and options for pooling resources more effectively will be explored.

According to the Commission's statement: “The international humanitarian system has been severely shaken by the outbreak of armed conflicts and the catastrophic humanitarian situations in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan. Drastic funding cuts are affecting all aspects of humanitarian action.

The number of forcibly displaced people or asylum seekers has doubled in the past decade, reaching 117.3 million in 2025. Nearly 20% of the world’s children – almost half a billion – live in or are fleeing conflict zones. Sexual and gender-based violence, including conflict-related sexual violence, continues to rise, disproportionately affecting women and girls. Food insecurity and malnutrition are worsening globally, with the number of people suffering from acute hunger reaching catastrophic levels.

The EU and its Member States provide the largest share of global humanitarian funding (35% in 2025). The European Commission alone has allocated nearly €2 billion to humanitarian aid this year.” The European Union will continue to provide comprehensive, non-discriminatory, and needs-based assistance to save lives and preserve human dignity.

These efforts enjoy strong and sustained public support from EU citizens. In 2024, 91% of respondents to the European Commission’s Eurobarometer survey considered EU funding for humanitarian aid to be extremely important.