VOICE Urges President Von Der Leyen to Strengthen Humanitarian Efforts
President Ursula von der Layen was elected for a second mandate on 18 July.
In an open letter to the new EU President, VOICE emphasised the urgency of addressing the escalating humanitarian crises which are projected to leave 308.5 million people in need of assistance in 2024.
The letter underscores the EU's pivotal role as a leading humanitarian donor, contributing over 32% of global humanitarian funding in 2023, and highlights the need to strengthen the EU’s commitment to principled humanitarian action, and use all relevant political tools to create the environment urgently needed to address them.
VOICE calls for the appointment of a Commissioner for Crisis Management and stresses the need for a coordinated approach between humanitarian, development, and peace initiatives to effectively tackle the root causes of crises.
Furthermore, the letter highlights the crucial role of civil society organisations, particularly humanitarian NGOs, in contributing to the EU’s excellent record on humanitarian action. Humanitarian NGOs bring unparalleled expertise in navigating complex situations and ensuring aid reaches the most vulnerable communities.
