Remarks by Commissioner Janez Lenarčič about Commission's new outlook for EU's global humanitarian action challenged by COVID-19

In recent years, we witnessed a worrying increase of humanitarian crises. Last year the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically added to the worsening humanitarian conditions for millions worldwide. The EU has a responsibility to play its part. That is why today we have adopted a new strategic outlook to strengthen the European Union's humanitarian impact globally

For some time, the EU, together with its Member States, has been the world's leading humanitarian donor. Together we account for some 36% of global humanitarian assistance. However, our humanitarian aid is now facing an unprecedented set of challenges, exacerbated by the ongoing pandemic.

Firstly;

Humanitarian needs are at an all-time high. They are driven largely by the resurgence in state-based conflicts. And they are combined with the impact of climate change, environmental degradation, population growth and failed governance. COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated these. The additional bad news is that these needs will continue to rise.

Secondly;

Not much less worryingly, the gap between humanitarian needs and the resources available globally is increasing.

A few donors have substantially stepped up their efforts in recent years. However, the overall global humanitarian funding gap has been expanding rapidly. This gap is likely to grow further.

Also upsetting, global humanitarian funding continues to rely heavily on a limited number of donors. In 2020, the top ten donors accounted for 83% of reported funding. This is not sustainable.

And thirdly;

We are facing increasing impediments to humanitarian aid access. Almost on a daily basis, we are witnessing basic norms and humanitarian principles being challenged as rarely before. This is making the delivery of aid more difficult and dangerous. Direct and often deliberate attacks by belligerents against civilians, hospitals and schools in violation of International Humanitarian Law are increasing.

Therefore;

In order to address these disturbing challenges, the EU must give renewed impetus to its humanitarian action. With this Communication we are setting out how the EU can show leadership and step up to these challenges. Together with Member States and with our diverse humanitarian partners and other donors. So that we can more effectively address growing humanitarian needs. And support a better enabling environment for the delivery of principled humanitarian aid.

Tried and tested humanitarian principles remain key;

Today I will outline key actions proposed to best address these pressing challenges. But before that allow me to underline that in the EU's humanitarian efforts we will continue to adhere strictly to the universal humanitarian principles. Those are: humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, as enshrined in international law; irrespective of any political, strategic, military or economic objective.

Also the continued integration of protection for people caught in crisis situations will remain a strong feature of the EU's humanitarian aid. This includes prevention, mitigation and response to sexual and gender-based violence and sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

Likewise the EU will continue to put a strong focus on supporting child protection and education in emergencies, in particular access to education for girls in humanitarian contexts. It will continue to allocate at least 10% of its annual humanitarian budget to education in emergencies.

Finally, effective multilateralism will remain central to the EU's humanitarian action. The EU will continue to rely on a strong network of diverse partners. This includes non-governmental organisations, UN agencies, funds and programmes and other international organisations, as well as specialised agencies of EU Member States. For a global donor, like the EU, cooperation with these diverse partners is essential to make a difference on the ground.

Outlining key actions proposed

Firstly, by addressing the growing needs by boosting efficiency and capacity.

We will aim for more efficient use of resources we have. We will do so mostly by promoting flexible funding practices, leveraging innovation and capacities. We will also step up EU support to local responders.

In this view, we will prepare for the events where we can do more ourselves directly. There may be situations in which there is a clear added-value for the EU to intervene by mobilising additional capacity for response. One example is last year's Humanitarian Air Bridge. We will build on this experience.

When traditional humanitarian delivery mechanisms via EU partners or their capacities may be ineffective or lacking, we will fill in the gap. In this respect, we will set up a new European Humanitarian Response Capacity. With it, we will ensure that the EU and its Member States can deliver lifesaving aid swiftly and efficiently. This capacity will function in complementarity with the Union Civil Protection Mechanism. Operationally it will rely on the support of the EU's Emergency Response Coordination Centre.

Secondly, by addressing root causes by stronger humanitarian, development and peace synergies.

Humanitarian aid on its own does not and cannot tackle the complex underlying drivers of conflicts and other crises. Experience has taught us that we need to tackle the root causes of crises in order to resolve or prevent them.

The EU will therefore scale up its response to the growing number of protracted emergencies. We will do so by closely delivering together with development and peace-building actors.

With such synergies, we will also put a stronger focus on climate impacts. We will do so by further bolstering climate and environmental resilience of vulnerable populations in the most disaster-prone countries and regions. In particular, we will scale up the usage of anticipatory approaches to humanitarian action. For this, we will strengthen partnerships also with climate and scientific communities.

Thirdly, by expanding the resource base - both inside and outside Europe.

As indicated, the increased scope and severity of humanitarian crises in recent years is dramatic.

Despite this, the resource base for humanitarian aid remains incredibly narrow. In fact, it is disturbing how a very small number of donor countries and the European Commission are doing almost all the heavy lifting to fund humanitarian response.

In 2020, the top three donors (the US, Germany and the European Commission) provided 59% of reported humanitarian funding globally.

This needs to change. Supporting humanitarian action is a responsibility for the entire world community. There is substantial scope to expand the list of donors. As well as to enhance the contributions of existing donors. Our Communication today is thus also an urgent call for more resources to address such substantially expanded humanitarian needs.

We also think there is scope for engaging the private sector more extensively in humanitarian response, whenever this is feasible. Together with our humanitarian partners, we will be launching a number of pilot projects on the blending of private and public funding.

Fourthly, by championing respect for International humanitarian law.

Respect for International Humanitarian Law as such is crucial in any conflict. It is also crucial for allowing a principled humanitarian action. Today we are seeing it recurrently under threat in many conflicts.

We are therefore putting compliance with International Humanitarian Law at the heart of EU's external action.

Concretely, we thus propose to reinforce our compliance framework also through the EU's external (funding) instruments. What do we mean by that?

One way is to use our funding instruments in a conditioned manner when there are serious violations of IHL.

In addition, we will also aim to ensure compliance with IHL through a due diligence policy. Which means that we will pay close attention to what EU's support to security forces in countries affected by conflict is used for. Depending on our assessment, we will take necessary measures. We cannot turn a blind eye when a government deliberately violates the basic laws of war or denies humanitarian access.

Furthermore, we will strongly promote IHL through our (political, security, human rights) dialogues with partner countries - as well as through our trade relations.

Crucially, with the Member States, we will consider including serious IHL violations among the reasons for listing individuals or organizations under EU sanctions regimes.

And we are addressing the interplay between sanctions policy and humanitarian aid. It can sometimes be challenging for humanitarian actors having to navigate in contexts where sanctions are applied. Importantly and in order to prevent any negative impacts of EU sanctions policy to the delivery of humanitarian aid, we will pay special attention to ensuring that the EU sanction regimes will consistently include humanitarian exceptions. And to making sure that there is a clear framework in place for applying these exceptions in practice.

We will also establish a new EU-level mechanism to coordinate IHL issues among the main EU institutions. This way we will help ensure proper monitoring of IHL violations. This is lacking today. It will strengthen EU humanitarian diplomacy. Like this, the EU will be able to raise the alarm when there are indications of serious violations of IHL anywhere in the world.

And finally, by enhancing the EU's relief engagement and leadership.

In order to maximize the impact of our humanitarian aid we need to enhance the EU's engagement and leadership.

On the one hand by further strengthening our efforts by working as ‘Team Europe'. Namely, there is scope to leverage the Member States' and EU institutions' collective impact by coordinating and complementing our efforts. And on the other hand, consolidating our positions at relevant international and multilateral levels.

In today's challenging geopolitical environment, it is key that EU continues to play a proactive role in international dialogues on humanitarian affairs. In this respect, I am glad to announce that we intend to organise a first ever European Humanitarian Forum this year.

To conclude.

The recent Eurobarometer findings show that European citizens perceive our humanitarian aid as a concrete expression of EU solidarity - one of the fundamental EU values.

In fact, never has the EU's global responsibility as a humanitarian actor been more pronounced than since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Against the backdrop of growing humanitarian needs and limited resources and in line with our founding principles and values, I firmly believe that the EU must continue to lead by example in this area.

Thank you