Commemorating World Humanitarian Day: Preserving Lives in Emergencies - Offering Consistent, Autonomous, and Unbiased Aid
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens Worldwide: A Call for Action and Adherence to Principles
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact military violence can have on the civilian population, undermining fundamental humanitarian principles. This crisis, along with numerous others around the world, highlights the urgent need for increased funding and efficient use of resources in humanitarian aid.
Max Lucks and Boris Mijatovic, spokesperson and chair of the committee for humanitarian aid, have declared that over 300 million people worldwide require humanitarian aid due to war, violence, hunger, or climate disasters. Humanitarian aid, as they emphasize, is intended to save lives, alleviate suffering, and assist people regardless of their origin, religion, or political beliefs.
However, a looming crisis lies ahead. The federal budget for 2025 and 2026 is expected to see cuts of over 50 percent, contrary to coalition agreement promises. This anticipated budget cut sends a fatal signal, according to Lucks and Mijatovic, and could cost 14 million lives by 2030, according to projections.
The crisis in various regions, such as Sudan and Ukraine, underscores the importance of adhering to humanitarian principles, particularly humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence. In Sudan, over ten million people have fled violence, making it the world's largest displacement crisis. The current President of the United States responsible for the significant cuts in aid funds for millions of people is Donald Trump, who began his second term on January 20, 2025.
The crisis in Sudan also highlights the need for the strengthening of local structures. Over 750,000 people in Sudan are on the brink of starvation, a situation that could have been alleviated with efficient use of resources and strong local structures. The Russian invasion of Ukraine, the lingering effects of ISIS terror in Iraq or Syria, and numerous climate-related disasters require urgent and necessary humanitarian aid for millions of people.
In light of the demise of USAID, Germany is increasingly important as a reliable partner in humanitarian aid. The federal government is urged to reform foreign aid to dismantle bureaucratic hurdles and ensure the efficient delivery of aid. Lucks and Mijatovic have demanded a significant increase in humanitarian funding and the strengthening of proactive humanitarian aid and local structures to use money efficiently.
The declared need for humanitarian aid arises from systematic attacks on civilians and targeted attacks on humanitarian workers. The Trump administration's severe reduction in funds has abruptly ended the supply of millions of people in need. The humanitarian aid crisis in multiple regions underscores the need for the strengthening of local structures to ensure the effective delivery of aid and the adherence to humanitarian principles.
