VOICE EU

🌍 Join us for a transformative conversation on decolonising humanitarian action! The humanitarian sector has long grappled with colonial legacies and unequal power dynamics. Increasingly, voices are calling for systemic change to shift power, amplify locally-led responses, and rethink the narratives we tell about affected communities. 📅 On 28 November 2024, 17:45-21:00 in Brussels, we’re hosting a dynamic panel discussion featuring: ✨ Panellists: Abimbola Agundairo: Advocacy & Campaigns Lead, Africa No Filter Tammam Aloudat: CEO, The New Humanitarian Alessandra De Guio: Senior Advisor, Mercy Corps Marie-Rose Romain Murphy: Founder & President, ESPWA, Pledge for Change Michael Vincent Mercado: Team Manager, Center for Disaster Preparedness ✨ Moderator: Maria Groenewald, VOICE Director ✨ Closing Remarks: Pauline Chetcuti, VOICE President 📍 Venue: Mundo Madou, Av. des Arts 7/8, Brussels, Belgium 👉 In-person only. Register by 25 November COB: https://lnkd.in/eYyM8PSe #DecolonisingAid #HumanitarianAction

Humanitarian aid entering Gaza has fallen to an all-time low. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) released an urgent alert on 8 November reporting that there is a strong likelihood that famine is already occurring in northern Gaza, and that immediate action is required within days, not weeks, to address the crisis. Humanitarian actors operating in Gaza call for: ⭕ States to take concrete actions to ensure an immediate and permanent ceasefire, including immediately halting the transfer of weapons, parts, and ammunition to parties at risk of violating international humanitarian law (IHL) ⭕ States to reject Israel’s decision to ban UNRWA ⭕ The Government of Israel to immediately cease the forced displacement of civilians in Gaza ⭕ All parties to the conflict to guarantee and facilitate safe, unhindered access for humanitarian aid ⭕ As the occupying power, Israel to uphold its obligations under IHL ⭕ Donors to collaborate to improve coordination mechanisms for Palestinian CSOs, NGOs,and women-led organizations, ensuring the safe movement of aid workers and their active participation in Cluster meetings ⭕ Donors to fully fund the humanitarian response, provide direct and quality funding to Palestinian NGOs and CSOs, and support liquidity to mitigate the collapse of the banking system, which adversely affects Palestinian partners

#COP29 is underway in Baku, Azerbaijan with the Humanitarian Hub highlighting how the climate crisis is impacting people in crisis situations—and showcasing local solutions. As stated in the VOICE Position Paper “The humanitarian NGOs’ perspective on climate resilience”, climate change and environmental degradation have become primary root causes of humanitarian crises around the world.. This is why the connection between humanitarian and climate is more relevant than ever and it is imperative that a space for humanitarians is in place so they can have their say on the devastating consequences of climate-related disasters. VOICE members are making sure the voices of humanitarian NGOs are heard. Check out their statements and events VOICE NGO https://lnkd.in/e-McUPCA

🌍 Join VOICE as a Junior Advocacy Assistant! 🌍 VOICE is looking for a Junior Advocacy Assistant to join our Brussels-based team starting in January 2025! In this role, you’ll work closely with our Humanitarian Partnership Watch Group and Resilience-Nexus Working Group, assisting with research, drafting advocacy messages, monitoring political developments, and helping to organise events and outreach activities. This is a fantastic opportunity for those with a strong interest in #humanitarian issues to gain hands-on experience and make a meaningful impact within a dynamic NGO network. 📅 Deadline to apply: Friday, 22 November COB ⬇️For more information on the vacancy and how to apply⬇️

🌍 Join VOICE as a Junior Advocacy Assistant! 🌍 VOICE is looking for a Junior Advocacy Assistant to join our Brussels-based team starting in January 2025! In this role, you’ll work closely with our Humanitarian Partnership Watch Group and Resilience-Nexus Working Group, assisting with research, drafting advocacy messages, monitoring political developments, and helping to organise events and outreach activities. This is a fantastic opportunity for those with a strong interest in #humanitarian issues to gain hands-on experience and make a meaningful impact within a dynamic NGO network. 📅 Deadline to apply: Friday, 22 November COB ⬇️For more information on the vacancy and how to apply⬇️

🧵 Last month, we welcomed the new MEPs at the #MeetAndSip event together with CONCORD and the European Peacebuilding Liaison Office (EPLO) to share our important messages on the important role of civil society organisations! Do you want a recap of the key messages we shared?  Read below: 🌍 The #EU needs to stand firm in its commitment to the #2030Agenda to reduce global inequality and create a more equitable world for all.   🤝 Civil society is a key partner. The EU must recognise the CSOs role in defending civic space and democracy while ensuring sufficient CSO funding  🌱 Policy coherence for sustainable development is essential. All our decisions must align with our broader goals of sustainability and fairness.  ✌️ Long-term support for sustainable #peace efforts is crucial, with the EU backing these with financial commitments to ensure lasting impact.  🛡️ The EU must integrate human security and #conflictsensitivity into all external actions, ensuring all engagements are conflict-aware.  🚨 the EU must expand the space for principled humanitarian action, ensuring responses are needs-based and shielded from political or economic influences.  💰 The growing #humanitarian funding gap is a challenge. We need funding that matches real needs, free from politically motivated reallocation.  🌍🌿 The rise in conflicts and climate-related disasters demands a multisectoral, prevention-oriented, and nexus approach to tackle root causes.

We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the six humanitarian workers tragically killed in Gaza. Killing humanitarian workers is unacceptable. They are #NotATarget!

🔴With at least 3,129 deaths and disappearances recorded in 2023 alone, the Mediterranean remains the deadliest route for migrants seeking safety. The situation has only worsened in 2024, leaving the international community grappling with a crisis that demands urgent attention and action. To address this issue, VOICE organised the event “The Mediterranean Sea: A Neglected Humanitarian Crisis?” to address the escalating #migration crisis unfolding in the region. One of the key concerns raised was the increasing death toll in the Mediterranean. The panellists emphasised that this is not just a migration issue but a #humanitarian crisis, which requires international recognition and support to prevent further loss of life. Another major topic of discussion was the criminalisation of Search and Rescue (SAR) #NGOs. The panellists stressed the importance of recognising SAR NGOs as humanitarian organisations rather than politically motivated actors since this recognition is crucial to ensuring their life-saving work can continue without obstruction. The discussions also highlighted the lack of political will in Europe to address the crisis effectively. Panellists called for stronger collaboration among NGOs and greater institutional support to tackle the Mediterranean crisis. The event concluded with a series of actionable recommendations, including the need for a UN OCHA Humanitarian Response Plan for the #Mediterranean, enhanced cooperation between humanitarian and SAR NGOs, and the exploration of new funding mechanisms to support rescue operations. As the Mediterranean crisis continues to claim lives, political inaction persists. The panel’s key recommendations emphasise the urgent need for the international community to acknowledge the severity of this humanitarian emergency. It is crucial to take decisive action, providing the necessary support and funding to prevent further loss of life. 🔽Read the full report here🔽 Sergio Cecchini, Sophie Beau, Giuseppe Caccia, Vincent Cochetel, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), SOS MEDITERRANEE France, MEDITERRANEA Saving Humans, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, Médecins du Monde

🌍Thank you to everyone who joined our conversation with Dr. Hugo Slim yesterday on the newly launched "Humanitarianism 2.0 – New Ethics for the Climate Emergency." We explored how #humanitarian action must evolve to tackle the climate emergency, and Dr. Slim shared key insights from his latest book, advocating for an "all-life" approach that addresses both human and #environmental suffering. Special thanks to Maria Groenewald, VOICE Director, and Noreen Gumbo, Head of Humanitarian Projects at Trócaire, for enriching the discussion with their questions and perspectives.

📢Almost a year after the escalation of violence in #Gaza, the humanitarian crisis continues to deepen, with devastating consequences for civilians. Since October 2023, over 41,000 Palestinians have lost their lives, including more than 11,000 children, and the situation is rapidly deteriorating in the region. Humanitarian workers are also at risk, with more than 280 having been killed while trying to provide aid to those in need. The obstruction of #humanitarian access has left over two million people without essential supplies like food, water, and healthcare. As the leading European network of humanitarian #NGOs, VOICE calls on the European Union and its Member States to take decisive diplomatic action to ensure the protection of civilians, uphold International Humanitarian Law (#IHL), and guarantee unimpeded humanitarian access in Gaza. The time to act is now! 🔽Read our full statement here