On 29 June 2026, the Council of the European Union approved the 2026 EU Humanitarian Principles statement, reaffirming the EU and its Member States' commitment to needs-based humanitarian action and their role as leading global donors under a Team Europe approach. The statement condemns attacks on humanitarian and medical workers and calls for timely, safe, unhindered humanitarian access and depoliticised action using all relevant diplomacy and advocacy tools.
The statement endorses the Humanitarian Reset under the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, demanding concrete, time-bound reforms to enhance efficiency and reduce duplication. It supports thematic priorities including protection, food security, health (including mental health), education in emergencies, shelter, water, sanitation, climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, gender equality, and the humanitarian-development-peace nexus.
flexible and multiannual financing, increased support to pooled funds, and predictable core funding. It recalls the 2023 Council Conclusions' collective commitment to 0.7% of GNI as ODA by 2030 and encourages Member States to devote an appropriate share (e.g., 10%) of ODA to humanitarian action. The statement also calls on other donors—emerging economies, international financial institutions, private sector, and philanthropic actors—to broaden the donor base and contribute more, especially in forgotten or underfunded crises.
The statement is a formal outcome of proceedings from the Council meeting on 29 June 2026. It does not introduce new legislation but sets out policy orientations for EU humanitarian action. The main stakeholders impacted are EU Member States (as donors and implementers), humanitarian aid organisations (expecting more flexible funding and reform), non-EU donor countries and private actors (urged to increase contributions), and crisis-affected populations (benefiting from improved access and protection). Institutional follow-up will involve the European Commission and the European External Action Service in implementing the commitments, with the next review expected in the context of the annual EU humanitarian policy cycle.