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Follow-up to the European Parliament non-legislative resolution on humanitarian aid in a time of polycrisis – reaffirming our principles for a more effective and ambitious response to humanitarian crises
PA_NonLeg
Rapporteur: Leire Pajín (S&D / ES)
AMENDMENTS
References: 2025/2085(INI) / A10-0257/2025 / P10_TA(2026)0005
The Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality submits the following to the Committee on Development, as the committee responsible :
Date of adoption of the resolution: 20 January 2026
Amendment 1
Competent Parliamentary Committee: Committee on Development (DEVE)
Motion for a resolution
Brief analysis/ assessment of the resolution and requests made in it:
Citation 5 a (new)
The resolution outlines the European Parliament’s key priorities in the humanitarian domain. It addresses the financial strain on global humanitarian systems caused by compounding crises. It urges the defence of core principles – humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence – amid a global “polycrisis”. It mandates the strengthening of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) including through enhanced accountability for IHL violations. It promotes the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) nexus for more effective long-term responses. The resolution notably acknowledges that funding basic services (education, health, key infrastructure) has a key role in strengthening local resilience, including beyond the Global Gateway. The resolution also focuses on aid localisation by empowering local responders. It calls for addressing the disproportionate impact of crises on vulnerable groups including a commitment to gender-sensitive and environmentally conscious policies.
Motion for a resolution
Ensuring respect for IHL and the need for an EU humanitarian diplomacy strategy: paragraph 1-15
Amendment
Paragraphs 1-7
– having regard to the EU Gender Action Plan III (GAP III) for 2021-2025,
The Commission agrees with the European Parliament’s assessment of the alarming increase of violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) and the need to act urgently and decisively to preserve principled humanitarian action. This is one of the central messages that the Joint Communication on humanitarian aid adopted on 27 May aims to convey. The Commission has put several measures in place to strengthen the monitoring of IHL violations such as supporting the IHL in Focus framework which includes a yearly report on the state of IHL in the world and context-specific analyses of IHL. The Commission has also supported the development of the Stockholm Manual for assessing respect for IHL and believes that such a resource can assist with more effective advocacy to protect civilians in conflict. Supporting monitoring will remain part of our funding priorities.
Or. en
The Commission agrees that undertaking tangible actions to strengthen the safety and support of humanitarian personnel is essential. It will remain committed to defend the normative framework protecting aid workers but also support those on the frontlines through concrete actions. In this respect, the Commission welcomes the recognition of the value of the Protect Aid Workers, a unique mechanism developed by the Commission which provides immediate and practical assistance to local humanitarian workers in situations of security incidents when on duty. Considering its proven value, the Commission is committed to making this mechanism a permanent feature, ensuring its sustainability and long-term impact.
Amendment 2
The Commission takes note of the Parliament’s comment on restrictive measures. In some of its sanctions regimes, the EU already considers undermining humanitarian assistance and access, including through obstruction, violations of IHL and disregard for humanitarian principles, as a criterion for imposing restrictive measures on individuals and entities responsible for such acts. Examples of sanctions regimes including this type of criterion are the EU Global Human Rights, the Niger and the DRC sanctions regimes. The EU has also made progress with the introduction of humanitarian clauses in different frameworks and continues engaging with Member States on this very important topic.
Motion for a resolution
Paragraphs 8-12
Recital A a (new)
The Commission welcomes the Parliament’s call for an urgent response to the humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The Commission has mobilised all its tools to address the crisis: increased humanitarian funding, reinforced logistics capacity and stepping up its efforts in terms of humanitarian diplomacy. The latter includes sustained advocacy with Member States and joint efforts with OCHA and the African Union to help galvanise political attention and operational commitments for the region.
Motion for a resolution
The Commission welcomes the Parliament’s call for an urgent response to the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, the country with the highest number of people in need globally. This is the world’s largest displacement crisis and is emerging as a catastrophic protection crisis with systematic atrocities, disregard for IHL and alarming levels of conflict-related sexual violence. The Commission remains committed to continue supporting the humanitarian response including protection in Sudan as long as needed, with all the tools at its disposal: funding, air bridges and sea freight but also with increased advocacy, as in high-level events hosted or co-hosted by the Commission since the beginning of the crisis.
Amendment
The Commission shares the Parliament's indignation at the killing of humanitarian workers in Gaza - a toll of 560 as of April 2026 and at the repeated attacks on civilian infrastructure. The Commission fully endorses the principle that humanitarian aid must never be politicised or weaponised and must reach civilians in need in full compliance with IHL. The Commission strongly supports the call for an international investigation and accountability for possible violations of international law at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation-managed sites. It strongly opposes any aid distribution system that is incompatible with humanitarian principles.
A a. whereas women and girls living in humanitarian aid contexts face severe gender inequalities, such as limited access to resources, including food, a lack of education, work and sexual and reproductive health rights, and a greater risk of gender-based violence;
The Commission supports the centrality of the UN-led humanitarian coordination system to ensure that all humanitarian efforts remain guided by IHL and established humanitarian principles and continues to call for unimpeded and sustained access to Gaza. The Commission also draws attention to the situation in the West Bank where an increased erosion of the humanitarian space raises serious concerns about violations of human rights and international law. The Commission confirms its strong support for UNRWA both through advocacy and funding, as the agency plays a central role in delivering vital services to Palestinian refugees. It remains committed to continuing this support and to ensuring UNRWA has the resources needed to fulfil its mandate.
Or. en
The Commission welcomes the Parliament’s emphasis on the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and the risk of deterioration with returns from Pakistan and Iran. Women and girls are by far the most affected, facing more barriers to access basic services and humanitarian aid. The Commission continues to implement a comprehensive and locally driven humanitarian approach through its partners, focusing on healthcare, education and protection with support to mobile health services, nutrition programmes and community-based learning opportunities. Safe spaces provide psychosocial and protection support and legal assistance. The Commission also works to ensure the meaningful participation of female humanitarian staff which is essential to reach women and girls in the current context.
Amendment 3
The Commission welcomes the Parliament’s call for EU humanitarian assistance to the civilian population affected by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine to be stepped up, with a focus on the needs of most vulnerable people, in particular the internally displaced persons, refugees, women ang girls, persons with disabilities, older persons and children, including victims of forced deportation to the Russian Federation and occupied territories.
Motion for a resolution
Humanitarian diplomacy: Paragraph 13-15
Recital B a (new)
The Commission fully agrees on the need for concrete and meaningful actions that strengthen the EU’s humanitarian diplomacy on the ground. A central part of the 2026 Joint Communication on humanitarian aid is to develop a strategic approach to EU humanitarian diplomacy. The Communication was accompanied by a dedicated Staff Working Document on humanitarian diplomacy which describes the principles and thematic priorities for EU humanitarian diplomacy, as well as ways to strengthen the existing toolbox. This will be done with the European External Action Service, and in close coordination with EU Special Representatives.
Motion for a resolution
Humanitarian aid funding and architecture: paragraphs 16 to 26
Amendment
The Commission welcomes the Parliament’s support for a reinforced humanitarian aid budget in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), reflecting the growing scale, the complexity and duration of global crises. Ensuring adequate, predictable and flexible funding will remain essential for the EU to respond effectively to rising humanitarian needs and to uphold its role as a reliable global humanitarian donor. At the same time, the Commission considers that certain elements of the resolution, in particular references to ring-fencing flexibility for humanitarian aid and maintaining separate instruments are not optimal in the current context of increasing and rapidly evolving crises. Such an approach risks limiting the EU’s capacity to respond swiftly and effectively where needs are greatest and could reduce the coherence of EU external action.
B a. whereas polycrisis refers to a complex and interconnected set of crises occurring simultaneously1a; whereas women and girls worldwide are disproportionately affected by poverty, sexual violence, humanitarian crises, climate change, conflicts, extremism, terrorism, wars and food shortages; whereas this also makes children more vulnerable;
Flexibility, transparency and humanitarian principles: paragraphs 18 and 19
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The Commission considers that flexibility is essential to ensure timely, needs-based responses in rapidly evolving crisis contexts and to avoid delays in mobilising assistance. At the same time, the Commission fully recognises the importance of transparency, accountability and sound financial management. EU humanitarian assistance is already subject to rigorous partner selection, monitoring and control mechanisms, in close cooperation with Member States and international partners, in order to minimise risks of diversion or misuse of funds. These safeguards ensure that EU funding effectively reaches populations most in need while upholding the Union’s values and abiding by its legal framework. While humanitarian aid funding is proposed to be part of the Global Europe instrument, its implementation should remain exclusively governed by the Humanitarian Aid Regulation. This would provide full assurance that EU humanitarian assistance be delivered in strict compliance with the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence and will remain firmly needs-based and separate from other policy objectives.
1a https://policy-lab.ec.europa.eu/news/unraveling-polycrisis-foresight-and-innovation-2025-03-26_en.
Thematic priorities and needs-based approach: paragraphs 20, 21 and 25:
Or. en
The Commission reiterates its strong commitment to addressing forgotten crises and to supporting vulnerable groups including children, persons with disabilities, and women and girls. These priorities are already systematically integrated into EU humanitarian response through a needs-based and context-driven approach. At the same time, the Commission considers that introducing fixed earmarking or quantitative targets for specific priorities could reduce the flexibility required to respond effectively to evolving humanitarian needs. Preserving the ability to allocate funding based on assessed needs remains essential to ensure that assistance reaches those most affected, in line with humanitarian principles.
Amendment 4
- Humanitarian system reform: paragraph 23
Motion for a resolution
The Commission is fully aligned with the resolution’s emphasis on the Humanitarian Reset as a critical opportunity to reaffirm humanitarian principles and achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness in response efforts. It welcomes the call to ensure that the reform of the humanitarian system is driven by needs-based and people-centred approaches. To this end, the Commission stands ready to work closely with the EU Member States, other donors and humanitarian organisations to ensure that reforms deliver tangible results for those most in need.
Recital B b (new)
Developing an integrated approach to fragile contexts: paragraphs 27 to 30
Motion for a resolution
The Commission welcomes the Parliament’s emphasis on the need for tailored, context-specific and conflict-sensitive approaches to fragile contexts. It fully shares the Parliament’s view that sustainable solutions must go beyond short-term responses and address the root causes of fragility while ensuring that no one is left behind. The Commission also agrees with the Parliament on the need to break cycles of dependency by strengthening resilience and sustainable development, including through essential services, infrastructure, and job creation.
Amendment
In line with the Parliament’s call, the Commission is preparing an integrated approach to fragility. One of the Commission Staff Working Document accompanying the May 2026 Joint Communication on humanitarian aid outlines the key features of the EU’s integrated approach to fragility and its implementation. The integrated approach will reinforce coherence of EU action across respective tools and interventions, including humanitarian aid, development cooperation, and peace and security- while keeping the EU engagement in fragile contexts flexible and context specific. This means notably reinforcing a Team Europe approach and the Humanitarian Development Peace Nexus implementation, while fully respecting a principled humanitarian action. The document also outlines pathways to strengthen collaboration with a broad range of stakeholders, including with EU Member States as well as with like-minded countries, relevant international financial institutions, the private sector, local actors and civil society, the UN, non-governmental organisations and other partners.
B b. whereas violence against women in all its forms (physical, sexual, psychological, economic or cyber) is a violation of human rights, an extreme form of discrimination against women and one of the main obstacles to achieving gender equality;
The Commission is also actively stepping up the use of innovative and flexible financing mechanisms, in a Team Europe approach, in view of attracting more private funding, while empowering the local private sector, for example through conflict‑sensitive Global Gateway investments in fragile settings, where appropriate. Furthermore, the Commission recognises the existential threat that climate change poses to fragile States and remains committed to climate-proofing its interventions
Or. en
Promoting effective humanitarian responses through the implementation of the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) nexus, localisation of aid and anticipatory action: paragraphs 31-36
Amendment 5
Paragraphs 31 to 33
Motion for a resolution
The Commission agrees with the Parliament on the crucial role that HDP nexus collaboration plays in efficiently preventing and addressing humanitarian needs and in supporting recovery. The coupling of increasing humanitarian needs with preliminary OECD data pointing to a 23% decrease of global Official Development Assistance (ODA) in 2025 confirm the need to accelerate efforts that strengthen prevention, sustainable solutions and community engagement, and accelerate innovative partnerships. Reinforced coordination and collaboration across the nexus are key. The Commission will strengthen its systematic nexus collaboration across services, with Member States, and key external actors, including the UN system, international financial institutions, and private sector. The Commission will also scale up multi-year funding that can contribute to more systemic and resilience building responses, particularly in protracted crises.
Recital B c (new)
In line with the Parliament’s call, the Commission plans to deliver on its commitment to channel at least 25 % of its humanitarian funding to local actors by 2027 and is considering expanding its support to more locally led pooled funds. With regard to the Parliament’s suggestion to explore how to provide grants directly to local organisations, article 7 of the humanitarian aid regulation (Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/96) states that the Commission can only fund organisations that have their headquarters in a Member State of the EU. This means that the Commission is not able to fund local actors directly where humanitarian aid is concerned. However, the Commission supports locally led action with funding through the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation (NDICI – Global Europe) instrument, with a focus on local authorities and Civil Society Organisations, youth, women’s rights organisations or groups in vulnerable situations, in the context of the broader HDP Nexus.
Motion for a resolution
25 years of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000): towards a gender-sensitive approach to humanitarian aid: paragraphs 37- 46
Amendment
In line with the Parliament’s call, the Commission will continue implementing gender mainstreaming in its humanitarian operations and contributing to women’s empowerment. This means ensuring that all our support is gender-responsive and uses specific tools such as a gender-age marker (different from the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) marker), to hold the Commission and its partners accountable.
B c. whereas the US funding freeze has severely disrupted humanitarian efforts, hindering project implementation, staffing and the ability to support women and girls, with an especially negative effect on women’s involvement in the humanitarian response; whereas investing in gender equality saves lives in humanitarian settings; whereas there is evidence that gender-responsive humanitarian programming delivers high returns, namely USD 8 for every USD 1 invested1a;
In parallel, the Commission will continue promoting the participation of crisis-affected women, girls, boys and men in the design, implementation and evaluation of humanitarian actions, as well as the inclusion of local women-led organisations in its response. Despite increasing attacks on gender-related programmes and worrying funding cuts by international donors, the Commission will increase efforts to promote the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls and protect them from all forms of conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence. The Commission reaffirms its strong commitment to preventing and ending sexual and gender-based violence in conflict settings, as well as supporting victims in a survivor-centered approach. To this end, it has just launched the Sexual and Reproductive Health in Emergencies and Life in Dignity (SHIELD) initiative, a EUR 10 million partnership with UNFPA. It will focus specifically on improving access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and preventing and responding to gender-based violence in emergency settings. This underscores the Commission’s lasting commitment to being a reliable, principled and predictable donor in an increasingly fragile and dangerous world for women and girls.
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1a https://www.unwomen.org/en/articles/facts-and-figures/facts-and-figures-humanitarian-action.
Or. en
Amendment 6
Motion for a resolution
Recital B d (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
B d. whereas local and national women-led and women’s rights organisations – along with the crisis-affected women and girls they support – are among the most severely impacted;
Or. en
Amendment 7
Motion for a resolution
Recital B e (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
B e. whereas the new EU global health strategy, adopted by the Commission in 2022, makes global health an essential pillar of EU external policy and an investment priority of the Global Gateway;
Or. en
Amendment 8
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
1 a. Points out that humanitarian crises often exacerbate pre-existing gender inequalities and discriminatory social norms, further limiting women and girls’ access to essential services, the full exercise of their rights, and personal autonomy;
Or. en
Amendment 9
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
1 b. Is concerned about the backlash against gender equality and the international human rights framework that sets out to protect women and girls in vulnerable or marginalised situations across the world, including LGBTIQ+ people; expresses its concern about the persistence of the practice of female genital mutilation, and its sympathy for the victims;
Or. en
Amendment 10
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
1 c. Is concerned that human rights violations and gender-based violence remain pervasive in conflict settings, while efforts towards prevention and survivor support, and access to justice, remain insufficient; expresses concern that, amid shrinking services, women-led and women’s rights organisations fear that gender-based violence may go unaddressed or intensify in severity;
Or. en
Amendment 11
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 d (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
1 d. Underlines that, in line with IHL, the EU is committed to ensuring that women and girls affected by humanitarian crises have unimpeded access to reproductive and maternal healthcare services, as part of their protected right to essential medical care and their equitable integration into primary and secondary healthcare systems;
Or. en
Amendment 12
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 e (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
1 e. Calls for enhanced coordinated action and substantial investment to achieve universal health coverage, especially for people in vulnerable situations, and for vulnerable populations and regions, including minorities, women and girls, and persons with disabilities;
Or. en
Amendment 13
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
5 a. Welcomes the growing number and formalisation of gender focal persons (GFPs), with 99 % of EU delegations and 87 % of headquarters services now having GFPs; points out that humanitarian gender-age focal points help maintain focus on gender-based violence prevention and response;
Or. en
Amendment 14
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
11 a. Calls on the Commission to ensure regular, adequate and sustainable funding for European programmes and organisations working for gender equality and women’s rights, as reducing assistance will severely undermine access to life-saving services provided by women-led and women’s rights organisations;
Or. en
Amendment 15
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
11 b. Regrets the withdrawal of funding by USAID and recognises its devastating impact on the global community’s aim of achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls;
Or. en
Amendment 16
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
12 a. Stresses that in humanitarian crises women and girls are disproportionately affected by the collapse of essential services, and their basic needs are often the first to go unmet, even though they are expected to fill service gaps – for example, by taking on increased caregiving responsibilities and securing food and water;
Or. en
Amendment 17
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
12 b. Calls for ensuring that women and girls have sustained access to income, food and safe spaces, and for recognising that the absence of these essentials significantly increases the risk of gender-based violence, exploitation, and harmful practices such as early marriage, transactional sex and migration via unsafe routes;
Or. en
Amendment 18
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
14 a. Calls on the Commission to maintain existing partnerships with local women-led and women’s rights organisations, and, where changes are essential, to ensure timely, transparent communication to support dignified, harm-reducing transitions and continuity of services;
Or. en
Amendment 19
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
18 a. Recalls that the EU must bridge the humanitarian and development nexus to respond to the impact of crisis and conflict on the most vulnerable students, such as girls and young women;
Or. en
Amendment 20
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
18 b. Reaffirms that the EU global health strategy focuses on addressing the root causes of ill health, with special emphasis on the needs and rights of women, children and young people, including universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights; reiterates that ensuring women’s access to healthcare and psychosocial support is a key component of relief and recovery efforts and a priority within the humanitarian-development-peace nexus;
Or. en
Amendment 21
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
19 a. Calls for the EU and the Member States to prioritise the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, ensuring that women’s rights and the gender perspective are integrated into foreign and security affairs, humanitarian aid and development cooperation; highlights the importance of renewing the EU’s Women, Peace and Security action plan and of openly tackling any pushback against this agenda worldwide1a;
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1a https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2025/769691/IUST_BRI(2025)769691_EN.pdf.
Or. en
Amendment 22
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
21. Highlights the crucial role played by women in humanitarian settings; regrets that local women-led organisations are among the hardest hit by the recent cuts to foreign aid, and encourages better engagement with them in humanitarian programming7 ;
21. Highlights the crucial role played by women in humanitarian settings; regrets that local women-led organisations are among the hardest hit by the recent cuts to foreign aid, and encourages better engagement with them in humanitarian programming7; notes with regret that almost half (47 %) of women-led and women’s organisations surveyed expect to shut down within six months if current funding levels persist, while more than a third (35 %) remain trapped in uncertainty, unable to plan or sustain their work, and only 18 % report that they anticipate being able to remain operational for more than a year7a;
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7 UN Women, ‘Humanitarian funding cuts threaten women’s rights: What’s at stake and how to help’, 13 May 2025, https://www.unwomen.org/en/articles/explainer/humanitarian-funding-cuts-threaten-womens-rights-whats-at-stake-and-how-to-help.
7 UN Women, ‘Humanitarian funding cuts threaten women’s rights: What’s at stake and how to help’, 13 May 2025, https://www.unwomen.org/en/articles/explainer/humanitarian-funding-cuts-threaten-womens-rights-whats-at-stake-and-how-to-help.
7a https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/2025-05/at-a-breaking-point-the-impact-of-foreign-aid-cuts-on-womens-organizations-in-humanitarian-crises-worldwide-en.pdf.
Or. en