Latvian Parliamentary State Secretary for EU Affairs presented humanitarian aid priorities to the European Parliament

On 21 January, the Latvian Parliamentary State Secretary for EU Affairs, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, presented the priorities of Latvia’s Presidency of the Council of the EU to the Development Committee (DEVE) of the European Parliament in the area of humanitarian aid.

Discussion was focused on how to ensure that the collective EU response to major crises, such as Syria, Ukraine as well as the Ebola epidemic, is as effective and efficient as possible.

The Parliamentary State Secretary confirmed that the EU and its Member States remain committed to provide assistance to all those displaced by the Syria crisis, and to the communities hosting Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries.

Regarding the Ebola epidemic, Ms Kalniņa-Lukaševica said that the EU would continue to provide humanitarian assistance while promoting reflection and action on the long-term impact of the crisis, and the reconstruction efforts that will be needed.

On Ukraine, the Presidency will seek to ensure that the humanitarian needs of all the affected people are met. Ms Kalniņa-Lukaševica underlined that building resilience will remain high on the Council’s agenda as the Presidency noted the importance to link humanitarian aid to development policy. This is one of the important issues that will be discussed as the EU prepares for the World Humanitarian Summit taking place next year.

The European Parliament’s DEVE Committee is responsible for questions of development cooperation and humanitarian aid.