Humanitarian Aid Is Not a Field for Ideological Experimentation

“The renewal of European humanitarian assistance is not a task that can be postponed; it is an urgent duty,” stressed György Hölvényi, Member of the European Parliament for the Christian Democratic People’s Party (KDNP), in his speech submitted to the debate on the report on humanitarian policy. He pointed out that Member States and the European Union together provide 38 percent of global humanitarian aid, which entails a serious responsibility both towards European taxpayers and towards those in need.

György Hölvényi recalled that approximately 80 percent of humanitarian resources go to people suffering from armed conflicts. Therefore, the mitigation and resolution of conflicts as well as the strengthening of security are common European interests. “In short: we must do everything possible to promote peace,” he stated. He added that it is particularly alarming that arms build-up linked to the war in Ukraine is significantly reducing the funds available for development and humanitarian assistance.

The MEP described it as regrettable that the left-wing rapporteur, instead of addressing real humanitarian challenges, has turned the proposal into an ideological statement. According to Hölvényi, by doing so the European left is abandoning around 300 million people in need. “Instead of genuinely standing up for women and girls suffering in humanitarian crises, they are forcing gender ideology into a context where it has no place,” he emphasized.

György Hölvényi underlined that the report seriously misjudges priorities and thereby undermines the credibility of European humanitarian assistance. While worldwide 600 million people are facing hunger, 117 million have been forced to flee their homes, and 270 million children have no access to education, the document places its emphasis on LGBTQ and gender issues – despite the fact that this is not the time to talk about LGBTQ and gender matters when people are starving. “By doing so, European solidarity is subordinated to their own political objectives, which runs counter to the fundamental principles of humanitarian policy,” he stated.

The KDNP Member of the European Parliament made it clear that the report, in its current form, cannot be supported. “European humanitarian assistance needs effectiveness, security, and cooperation with local communities, not ideological pressure,” György Hölvényi concluded.