Humanitarian aid: Parliament alarmed at the erosion of international humanitarian law

MEPs alarmed by increase in violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) and the erosion of respect for IHL

Condemn attacks on civilians and medical infrastructure and call for measures to protect humanitarian workers, and express outrage at killing of humanitarian workers in Gaza

The EU should consider sanctions against actors deliberately obstructing humanitarian access

Humanitarian aid needs significant increase in support in next EU long-term budget

On Tuesday, MEPs endorsed a report demanding a more effective and ambitious EU crisis response in a time of multiple and overlapping humanitarian crises in the world.

The text, drafted Leire Pajín MEP (S&D, ES) and adopted by 444 votes in favour, 153 against and 55 abstentions, reaffirms the protection of civilians in humanitarian crises as an essential element of EU external action, alongside the promotion and protection of international humanitarian law (IHL) and international human rights law.

International humanitarian law

MEPs are alarmed at the increase in IHL violations in recent years, condemning the increasing frequency of attacks on civilian populations and essential civilian infrastructure - in particular, grave violations against children, attacks on humanitarian aid workers, and blatant disregard for the protection of medical facilities. The EU, MEPs say, should consider sanctions against actors that deliberately obstruct humanitarian access.

Gaza, Sudan and Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

MEPs assert that aid should never be politicised and hunger should never be weaponised, and that life-saving aid should reach civilians without obstruction or manipulation in full compliance with IHL. They are outraged at the killing of 508 humanitarian workers in Gaza, as well as the repeated attacks on hospitals and humanitarian convoys. Parliament deplores the killing of more than a thousand Palestinians while they were seeking aid. MEPs recall that denying access to life-saving humanitarian aid is collective punishment, constituting a war crime. There is an urgent need, they say, for all international humanitarian bodies to have full, rapid, safe and unhindered access to and throughout the entire Gaza Strip. Additionally, they want the mandate and funding for a reformed United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to be reinstated in full, with strong oversight and accountability.

On the unprecedented humanitarian crises in Sudan and DRC, MEPs want the EU and member states to increase humanitarian aid, with a particular focus on funding support for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, among other issues.

Funding and policy

MEPs demand a significant increase in funding for humanitarian under the EU’s 2028-2034 budget, provided in a manner that respects established principles of neutrality, independence, and impartiality. They also urge the Commission to adopt a communication on humanitarian aid as envisaged in its 2026 work programme, with an additional focus on: engagement in fragile and conflict-affected settings; the humanitarian-development-peace nexus; and, the protection of the rights of women and girls. They should, MEPs say, be recognised not merely as victims, but as agents of change who actively shape their own destinies as frontline responders and community leaders.

Quote

After the plenary vote, rapporteur Leire Pajín MEP (S&D, ES), said: “This report delivers a clear, principled statement. The urgency facing millions of vulnerable people—and the sector as a whole—are too significant for Europeans to look away. At stake is not only the immediate delivery of aid and the lives of millions of people, but also the credibility of the EU as a global humanitarian actor.

“In a context of multiple, overlapping crises, marked by record levels of humanitarian need and declining global funding, the European Union must fully assume its leadership role as a humanitarian actor. This leadership is required not only in the provision of humanitarian assistance, but also in humanitarian diplomacy and in ensuring full respect for international humanitarian law. The EU must make efforts to shield international humanitarian law and the humanitarian principles through its humanitarian action. The EU must intensify its efforts, particularly in fragile contexts and forgotten crises, promote gender-responsive humanitarian action, and advance the women, peace, and security agenda. It must also guarantee the protection of humanitarian workers and strengthen the international humanitarian system.”