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Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.
The writer is the European commissioner for equality, preparedness and crisis management
The global humanitarian landscape is shifting. The US, long a pillar of international assistance, has decided to pause its aid programmes. Even if only temporary, the impact of this suspension cannot be underestimated. We recognise that governments periodically reassess their priorities. But while policies shift, humanitarian needs remain.
Europe is taking a different path. This year, the EU has increased its initial humanitarian aid budget. It provides roughly one-third of global assistance. In today’s cut-throat world, we are making a conscious choice to be a force for compassion and humanity — in Kyiv and Khartoum, in Gaza and Goma, in Damascus and Dhaka, and beyond. Global fragility is at an all-time high. Wars, political instability, economic hardship and the increasing impact of climate change are driving communities to the edge. More than 300mn people need humanitarian assistance.
As European commissioner for equality, preparedness, and crisis management, I recently visited Ukraine, Syria, Jordan and Turkey, where I met the people behind the statistics — families torn apart by war, children whose only school is an underground shelter, communities rebuilding after devastation. Each encounter reminds me that humanitarian aid is not just about policies or pledges — it is about saving lives, upholding dignity and bringing hope.
The EU has long been a leader in humanitarian action and we will continue to build on this record, for two important reasons.
First, it is who we are. The EU is built on the values of solidarity and human dignity. International humanitarian law and the rules-based order are our guiding lights. We will continue to defend them with full force, stepping up humanitarian diplomacy to protect civilians and humanitarian workers in conflict zones.
Second, this is not just about values and morality — it is also in our interest, especially as this affects security and prosperity. When we invest in humanitarian assistance, we also invest in greater global stability. When we tackle the root causes of fragility, we prevent crises from spiralling into security threats, leading to mass migration, economic downturns and the prospect of failed states.
The lesson is clear: humanitarian and development assistance, done right, can transform fragile states into stable and prosperous allies. South Korea, once an aid recipient, has prospered into an economic powerhouse, a strategic partner and an emerging donor of aid. This model must be replicated. As needs grow and the funding gap increases, the donor base must be expanded. Regional blocs such as the Gulf Cooperation Council and other OECD members must step up and do their fair share.
Beyond its moral imperative, aid delivers direct benefits. Preventing outbreaks of disease, supporting livelihoods and stabilising communities today can prevent larger crises tomorrow. In an interconnected world, helping others build resilience ultimately strengthens our own.
As the winds of isolationism whip across the world, the EU will remain a strong, reliable and committed humanitarian partner. But we alone cannot fill the gap left by others — the needs are simply too great. Every nation that values stability and prosperity must play its part.
Together with partners, we will continue to save lives, protect rights and rekindle the spark of hope. This is both a moral duty and a strategic necessity — principles and pragmatism in action.
Europe must not only speak of a shared humanity — we must act to defend it. We will never turn our backs on those who, in their darkest hour, extend a hand in our direction.
