WORKING WITH DG ECHO SANCTIONS | 2021 - 2027
HUMANITARIAN ACTION COMMUNICATION
Communication on the EU’s humanitarian action: new challenges, same principles
On 10 March 2021, the Commission proposed a new strategic vision to strengthen the EU’s humanitarian impact globally. The new vision outlines how the EU will meet the rising humanitarian needs and show leadership at a time when the pandemic is worsening conditions for millions worldwide.
The Communication proposes a series of actions toward the provision of humanitarian aid by expanding the resource base, supporting a better environment for humanitarian partners, addressing the root causes of crises, and reducing humanitarian needs, in a Team Europe approach. It also sets out an agenda for the EU to support a better enabling environment for humanitarian aid, increasing compliance with international humanitarian law as well as further stepping up its support to humanitarian partners in navigating sanctioned environments.
On the topic of sanctions and humanitarian aid, the Commission is committed to:
- Continue ensuring that IHL is fully reflected in EU sanctions policy including through the consistent inclusion of humanitarian exceptions in EU sanctions regimes;
- Work towards an effective framework for the use of such exceptions by humanitarian organisations receiving EU funding;
- Provide further practical support to humanitarian organisations with regard to their rights and responsibilities in the different EU sanctions regimes;
- Continue promoting dialogue between all parties involved in humanitarian assistance (donors, regulators, NGOs and banks) in order to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to all those in need.
QUOTE OF COMMISSIONER: “In a world where the footprint of crises is expanding rapidly and the principles of humanitarian aid are being challenged as rarely before, the EU's global responsibility as a humanitarian actor has never been more important. This comes regrettably as needs rise to an all-time high, but the global donor base remains disturbingly narrow. We need to deliver better by boosting the efficiency and impact of our humanitarian action. We need to be able to react with full force as soon as crises emerge. This renewed strategic outlook spells out how the EU can step up to help those most in need and show leadership at a time when the delivery of principled aid is acutely needed.” (Janez Lenarčič, Commissioner for Crisis Management, March 2021)
Council Conclusions on the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the EU’s humanitarian action: new challenges, same principles
On 20 May 2021, the Council adopted conclusions welcoming the Humanitarian Aid Communication from the Commission. In relation to sanctions, the Council reaffirmed its commitment to avoid and mitigate to the maximum extent any potential unintended negative impacts of EU restrictive measures on principled humanitarian action. The Council underlined the importance of fully adhering to humanitarian principles and IHL in EU sanctions policy, through the consistent inclusion of humanitarian exceptions in EU restrictive measures regimes where relevant and ensuring an effective framework for the use of such exceptions by humanitarian organisations. Moreover, the Council acknowledged the need to support and provide guidance to humanitarian organisations on their rights and responsibilities in EU sanctions regimes.
