New humanitarian trends and challenges in delivering humanitarian aid in light of the conflict in Ukraine
Czechia has been a traditional provider of humanitarian assistance abroad for many years. Despite our limited financial and personal capacities we have always strived to provide timely, efficient and effective response, to promote prevention and preparedness, while always respecting local needs, capacities and know-how.
Czechia is among the major destination for Ukrainian refugees, although not being a direct neighbouring country. More than 425 000 refugees have been granted the temporary protection, most of them being women with children. We have allocated considerable financial means and human capacity to the response, currently targeting viable long term solutions for housing, jobs, education and health care.
The Czech Government has a long tradition of cooperation with humanitarian non-governmental actors, both Czech, international and local. We cooperate closely with the Czech NGOs on the assistance and protection for Ukrainian refugees in our country. We also cooperate with Czech and local NGOs on the humanitarian and stabilization response both in Ukraine and Moldova.
At the first European Humanitarian Forum in March 2022, I personally participated in the High Level panel on localisation, where the Commission announced its intention to draft EU guidelines on localisation. We are currently actively involved in this process – and so are you I suppose.
All these aspects are also reflected in the priorities for the Czech EU Presidency.
We in particular highlight disaster risk reduction in the framework of fragility and climate security. This topic has a growing importance in view of the impacts of the Russian war and of droughts on the global food security.
We will draft Council Conclusions on DRR, with a special focus on governance and participation. We will be happy to hear your reflections and priorities in this area.
Another important priority is the humanitarian diplomacy. We share a growing concern for the many impediments for humanitarian access and International Humanitarian Law.
The developments in Ukraine, Afghanistan, Mali, Syria or Ethiopia have negatively impacted the human situation of local populations as well as the humanitarian access and response.
During the Czech Presidency we would like to highlight the prevention, mediation and anticipatory humanitarian action in this regard. We find the humanitarian diplomacy very important also for the area of humanitarian impacts of sanctions.
Last but not least, we try to enhance the practical implementation of the triple nexus approach in fragile contexts. It requires a good balance between a firm respect for the differing mandates of humanitarian, development and peace and security actors.
In this area, we intend to draft Nexus guidelines for donors as well as for implementing partners. I am convinced that both VOICE and FoRS have many valuable insights and lessons in this area.
In conclusion, I would like to stress that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic is open for dialog with you – the humanitarian NGOs and platforms, on all the topics which I have touched.
I wish you an open and fruitful discussion and a new inspiration for your important and difficult task of saving lives, alleviating suffering and enhancing resilience of vulnerable populations around our shared world.