It is a pleasure to be here today. Special thanks to the International Rescue Committee and the Egmont Institute for organizing this important event.
Recently, I visited Ukraine, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey, where I met women, children, grandmothers, and refugees. Their stories of fear and uncertainty deeply affected me. Despite their hardships, I saw hope in their eyes and the EUs efforts to keep that hope alive. Back in Brussels, I am motivated to do more.
Today, over 300 million people need humanitarian assistance. The challenges to help them are immense: limited access, attacks on aid workers, and destruction of schools and hospitals. The EU remains committed as a leader in humanitarian action, with an increased budget of €1.9 billion for humanitarian aid this year.
The global humanitarian landscape is rapidly changing. Donor policies may shift, but the needs remain. The EU continues to provide strong humanitarian aid. This year, we have allocated the highest budgets to Sudan, which tops the IRC Watchlist. We work with partners to gain access to people in need.
We must address fragility by promoting stability, supporting livelihoods, and strengthening resilience. This is crucial to prevent larger crises and promote long-term stability. Politically isolated countries are often only assisted by humanitarian organizations, which is not sustainable. We need strong EU cooperation and a long-term vision to effectively tackle fragility.
In an increasingly polarized world, the European Union remains a trusted partner to save lives and build a safer world. Cooperation and solidarity are essential to leave no one behind.