May 23, 2014

The European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid is the single most significant policy document that guides the EU and its member states in providing humanitarian response. The EU institutions and member states reached agreement on the Consensus in 2007. In 2008, a 5-year Action Plan to implement this common vision was agreed. In 2013-2014 the European Commission initiated an evaluation of the impact of the Consensus and its Action Plan.

In parallel, in 2013, VOICE, the Brussels-based network of European NGOs, commissioned DARA to undertake a study of NGOs’ views on the crucial aspects of the Consensus for European humanitarian aid and the Consensus’ relevance for Member States’ policies and practices. NGOs are indispensable in implementing humanitarian aid, delivering the vast majority of humanitarian assistance on the ground to affected populations worldwide.

The resulting report “The European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid- an NGO perspective”, launched in Brussels on May 19th, concludes that NGOs and EU Member States share a common assessment of the value of the Consensus which, they agree, is based on the humanitarian principles that it promotes. The key question, however, concerns implementation of and compliance with the Consensus, in particular with regards to humanitarian principles. This need for better implementation comes at a time when NGOs see a gap between rhetoric and actual practice, are very concerned about the further politicisation of humanitarian aid, and agree that they could do more to monitor Member States’ application.

Several tools were used to carry out this study:

• A desk review of all EU Member States’ humanitarian aid policies and strategies, as well as other documents relevant to the Consensus and its principal themes;
• An online survey of 80 NGOs across EU member states and 17 humanitarian departments of EU governments;
• 7 NGO focus groups; gathering 85 representatives of 62 organisations in 7 Member States
• Interviews with key stakeholders from NGOs, governments and international organisations

The report will be the leading document for VOICE and its members to conduct advocacy with the EU and member states on better implementation and compliance with the Consensus.