News

The April 2025 edition of VOICE at Work 8 - Spotlight on EU Humanitarian Action.

The event "Decolonising humanitarian action: Shifting power, voices, and resources", held in Brussels on 28 November 2024, explored how colonial legacies continue to shape humanitarian aid systems today. The panel discussed the need to shift power and decision-making toward local communities, challenge Eurocentric narratives, and promote equitable, community-led partnerships. The aim was to spark debate and outline concrete steps for transforming humanitarian aid into a more just, inclusive, and locally driven system.

An article in the VOICE Out Loud 38 highlights the urgent need to increase local food production in Myanmar to address the worsening food insecurity due to ongoing conflict, and rising fuel prices. It stresses that strengthening the agricultural sector is crucial for long-term food security and the survival of vulnerable populations.

An article in the VOICE Out Loud 38 by Vittorio Infante, IHL Policy Lead at Oxfam International. The article highlights the urgent need to bridge the gap between global commitments to IHL and the harsh realities on the ground (particularly in conflict zones like Yemen) by calling for stronger political action, advocacy, and accountability to protect civilians and uphold humanitarian principles.

An article from the VOICE Out Loud 38 by Yvette Issar, Senior Legal Adviser at Diakonia International Humanitarian Law Centre (member of ACT Alliance EU). Yvette Issar discusses the importance of accountability for violations of IHL, highlighting the roles of international courts, investigative bodies, sanctions, and the EU in ensuring compliance and protecting vulnerable populations during armed conflicts.

An article by Advocacy Advisor Josina Bothe & Country Delegate Anna Paluszek from Terre des Hommes Italy Delegation in Palestine, from the VOICE Out Loud 38. This article highlights the alarming rise in violations against children in armed conflict zones, particularly in Palestine, and highlights the urgent need for stronger enforcement of international humanitarian and human rights law.

As the EU begins shaping its next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), VOICE, CONCORD, and EPLO are calling for a bold shift in priorities: one that ensures no one is left behind, especially in the world’s most fragile contexts.

An article by Chibuzo Okonta, CEO of Action Against Hunger – France, in VOICE Out Loud 38 provides an overview of the escalating violence faced by humanitarian and health workers in conflict zones such as the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Sudan.

An article by Brona Higgins, Senior Humanitarian Policy & Practice Advisor, from DanChurchAid in the VOICE Out Loud 38 provides a critical analysis of the growing gap between IHL and political will, highlighting the urgent need for states to uphold their legal obligations to protect civilians and humanitarian workers in conflict zones.

In the latest VOICE Out Loud interview, Janez Lenarčič discusses the EU’s efforts to promote IHL compliance in conflict zones like Gaza and Sudan, emphasizing humanitarian diplomacy and accountability.

VOICE’s position paper urges the EU & Member States to increase funding, prioritise locally led initiatives, and integrate AA into wider policies. It’s time to unlock AA’s full potential to protect vulnerable communities!

VOICE and the CEOs of 101 humanitarian NGOs have issued an open letter calling on EU leaders and Member States to take decisive action in response to the U.S. foreign aid freeze and the dismantling of USAID.

In this statement, VOICE is calling on the EU and its Member States to urgently scale up humanitarian funding in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2035.

VOICE Statements on the US Funding Freeze

Uphold EU Global Leadership: Reject the Merger of External Financing Instruments! Open letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

VOICE Director Maria Groenewald interviewed by the Italian news agency Dire

VOICE President and VOICE Director featured on Défis Humanitaire, discuss about the funding gap and the attacks on humanitarian principles.

VOICE reaction on the U.S. Foreign Aid Suspension

On February 5th, 2025 at 1:00 PM CET, Bio4HUMAN will host an online workshop

This edition of the VOICE out loud highlights key challenges as well as opportunities to uphold IHL amidst the mounting crises we are facing.

As humanitarian crises escalate worldwide, VOICE has joined 108 NGOs aand networks in signing a joint statement calling for urgent and decisive action to alleviate human suffering.

At COP29 in Baku, VOICE members are actively engaging to ensure that humanitarian perspectives are highlighted, contributing through statements, policy briefs, and events focused on building climate resilience and addressing the impacts of climate-related disasters.

The VOICE event ‘The Mediterranean Sea: a Neglected Humanitarian Crisis?’ brought together experts to address the escalating migration crisis and call for urgent humanitarian action and support in the Mediterranean Sea.

In this statement, VOICE urgently calls on the European Union (EU) and its Member States to take decisive diplomatic actions to protect civilians and humanitarian workers, guarantee unimpeded humanitarian access, and ensure adherence to IHL in the Gaza conflict.

This news article provides an overview of the current conflict in Gaza and presents the reactions of VOICE members through their statements.

The open letter “Ensuring a vibrant civic space in the European Union” is an initiative by Civil Society Europe (CSE) that calls on the EU institutions to prioritise actions that foster a vibrant civic space, uphold democracy, and safeguard fundamental rights over the next five years.

Sudan is grappling with one of the most severe humanitarian crises in the world today. As the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues, the toll on the population has been devastating. Over half of the population urgently needs assistance, with the situation worsening by the day.

Today, on August 19, we join the humanitarian community in commemorating World Humanitarian Day (WHD) to raise awareness about crisis-affected communities and pay tribute to aid workers who support them.

VOICE President, Pauline Chetcuti, featured in the latest episode of the "Embodying Change" podcast.

Newly elected VOICE President Pauline Chetcuti met with Commissioner Janez Lenarčič to discuss pressing humanitarian issues.

This year, the WHD campaign, led by UN OCHA, aims to confront the normalisation of attacks on humanitarians, civilian suffering, and impunity under International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and other international agreements.

Hungary has outlined its priorities for humanitarian aid in the Hungarian Presidency’s work programme for COHAFA, the Council’s working group on Humanitarian aid and food aid.

The Mediterranean crossing remains the most perilous route, recording at least 3,129 deaths and disappearances in 2023. This pressing question was at the heart of VOICE's Event in June, which brought together experts to discuss this critical issue and the indispensable role of Search and Rescue (SAR) NGOs.

We are happy to unveil the VOICE Strategic Plan 2024-2029, which will chart the path of the VOICE network for the next five years.

On 20 June, we held the VOICE General Assembly 2024, bringing together the Board of Directors and members of the VOICE network.

VOICE will continue its advocacy work to increase the annual budget line for humanitarian aid.

In a letter to the newly elected President Ursula von der Leyen, VOICE calls for continued and strengthened EU leadership in global humanitarian efforts.

Pauline Chetcuti, new VOICE President, introduces the VOICE Strategic Plan 2024-2029, which outlines three Strategic Goals and three Enabling Actions for the upcoming five years.

The dedicated interview in the latest VOICE Out Loud features Dr Michael Köhler, Grand Bargain Ambassador, who provides an insightful analysis on the transformative potential of Anticipatory Action in humanitarian aid.

The VOICE Policy Resolution 2024 highlights the urgent need for political actors to focus on three priority areas:
1. Close the funding gap
2. Increase the space for humanitarian action
3. Address the growing number of climate disasters

In the ‘A Closer Look’ section of the latest VOICE Out Loud, International Medical Corps highlights their critical response to the catastrophic flooding in Derna, Libya.

Dominic Crowley's reflections on his last six years as VOICE President, highlighting the key achievements, and emphasising the importance of principled humanitarian aid.

We are delighted to announce that Pauline Chetcuti has been elected as the new VOICE President at the General Assembly on June 20.

Acción Contra el Hambre Spain delves into the concept of Adaptive Risk Governance and its crucial role in enhancing Anticipatory Action.

In the latest VOICE Out Loud issue, Welthungerhilfe explores how innovative financial strategies can support Anticipatory Action (AA) and improve disaster risk management.

This piece examines how proactive measures, such as anticipatory cash transfers, can significantly enhance the resilience of vulnerable communities facing climate shocks and other crises.

This piece explores how inclusive data collection and utilisation are vital for ensuring that AA reaches all segments of society, especially the most vulnerable.

In the VOICE Out Loud 37, Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe presents a compelling case for integrating localisation with Anticipatory Action (AA) in Southern Africa.

This edition of the VOICE Out Loud explores the transformative potential of Anticipatory Action in humanitarian response, showcasing innovative strategies and localised approaches that enhance community resilience and proactive disaster mitigation.

In March 2024, Charter4Change, the Red Cross EU Office, and VOICE co-organised a session during DG ECHO Partners' Segment which focused on “Equitable Partnerships: towards a fairer sharing of compliance-related risks”.