Helping those who suffer must not become the subject of political bargaining

While tens of millions of people around the world are in need of humanitarian assistance, it remains uncertain, as preparations begin for the European Union’s next Multiannual Financial Framework, how much funding will be available to support those in need, said György Hölvényi, MEP for Hungary’s Christian Democratic People’s Party, on Thursday during a debate on humanitarian aid.

In his speech, György Hölvényi pointed out that one of the European Union’s most important international achievements in recent decades has been humanitarian assistance, whose primary aim is to alleviate human suffering.

The Christian Democrat politician drew attention to the fact that in Gaza, two million people lack adequate access to healthcare and education, while Sudan is facing the world’s largest refugee crisis, with more than 14 million people forced to leave their homes. In Yemen, nearly 20 million people depend on international food aid, while around the world 90 million children have been deprived of education because of armed conflicts.

György Hölvényi stressed that unified European action is now more important than ever. Its foundation must continue to be the principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence.

The MEP warned that competition for resources under the next financial framework has already begun in the European Parliament, while it remains unclear how much funding will be allocated to humanitarian assistance and according to what criteria it will be distributed.

In his speech, György Hölvényi pointed that humanitarian policy has recently become increasingly mixed with ideological ambitions. He pointed out that humanitarian assistance funds must not be used to finance political objectives at the expense of those who are suffering.

In conclusion, the KDNP MEP said that the humanitarian aid portfolio must not be weakened by merging it with other policy areas. The task for the coming months is to ensure that the European Union’s humanitarian action is able to assist those in need with an adequate budget, in a credible and independent manner, and more effectively than before.