The funding will diversify resources, enhance humanitarian system’s efficiency, and focus on forgotten crises and fragile humanitarian environments
The European Commission and the Member States have announced a planned humanitarian funding of more than € 7.7 billion for 2024, as an expression of global solidarity in humanitarian actions.
The announcement was made during the 3rd edition of the European Humanitarian Forum (EHF) in Brussels, co-organised by the European Commission and the Belgian Presidency of the European Union (E.U). The forum took place in the context of sharply increasing global humanitarian needs, at a time of shrinking humanitarian space, increasingly complex and protracted conflicts, the politicisation of aid, and increasing vulnerabilities due to climate change.
The theme of the Forum included tackling the humanitarian funding gap by diversifying resources, enhancing the humanitarian system’s efficiency, and reducing needs. It also included focus on forgotten crises and fragile humanitarian environments.
Taking it to X, the European Commission tweeted,
Together with EU countries, we've announced the planned humanitarian funding of more than €7.7 billion for 2024.
— European Commission (@EU_Commission) March 19, 2024
This is a solid initial pledge for this year, reflecting both global solidarity and our leading position in humanitarian action.
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Speaking on the occasion, The European Commissioner for Crisis Management – Janez Lenarčič, said, “At this year’s European Humanitarian Forum, when we are marking record high humanitarian needs, the European Commission and EU Member States jointly announced the humanitarian funding of over €7.7 billion for 2024. This is a solid initial pledge for this year, reflecting both global solidarity and the EU’s outstanding position in humanitarian action. At the same time, to prevent the collapse of international humanitarian system, the humanitarian community brought together at this Forum, clearly stressed the urgent need for sustainable and fair funding of humanitarian action, increased respect of International Humanitarian Law as well as joined-up action, matching emergency assistance with development and peace efforts to help the mostly forgotten vulnerable communities break free from the cycle of fragility and dependency.”
At the forum, the E.U. and Member States committed to taking action in addressing conflict and preserving humanitarian space, notably in the deteriorating situation in the Gaza Strip. The E.U. Ministers called for rapid, unhindered, safe and continued humanitarian access to the people in need.
The Forum gains significance as global humanitarian needs have reached unprecedented levels. This year, nearly 300 million people around the world will need humanitarian assistance and protection, due to conflicts, climate emergencies and other drivers.
During the 2-day Forum, the participants also focused on promoting compliance with International Humanitarian Law (IHL) globally in today’s armed conflicts. They welcomed the announcement of an independent, non-governmental initiative named “IHL in Focus”, which will establish a yearly analysis of current armed conflicts and related IHL violations to contribute to setting out the state of compliance with IHL across the world.
Highlighting equity and inclusivity, the Forum advocated for meaningful participation of local actors, especially those representing marginalised groups. It underscored the significance of long-term solutions based on the humanitarian-development-peace nexus.
