Polish aid

Poland’s MFA head, Radosław Sikorski took part in a high-level panel along with European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib, and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas. Poland was also represented by Deputy Minister Anna Radwan-Röhrenschef, who participated in a panel session on resilience building and fragility.

The main topics of the Forum were fragility to crises and humanitarian diplomacy. According to the States of Fragility 2025 report, about two billion people, that is 25 per cent of world population and 72 per cent of the world’s extreme poor live in a situation of high and extreme instability.

The Forum was a dynamic platform of dialogue between the EU, as the main humanitarian actor and policymaker, international (including UN agendas), social, and non-governmental organisations on pressing humanitarian challenges, focusing both on thematic and geographic priorities. The discussions held during numerous panels and workshops touched on current challenges in the context of building resilience, respect for humanitarian law, and the protection of the civilian population and humanitarian workers.

The event brought together over 2 300 participants. Among them were representatives of Polish non-governmental organisations, who took part in sessions on the situation in Ukraine, the situation of women, and discussions on building resilience, among other topics.

The participants talked about a wide range of issues which are particularly important for the Polish Presidency of the EU Council: the humanitarian crises in Ukraine and the Middle East, building resilience, empowering forcibly displaced women, preventing gender-based violence, and supporting local organisations in the context of instability.

Furthermore, Polish non-governmental organisations involved in delivering humanitarian aid presented a special multimedia exhibition on their activities across the globe.

During the Forum, Minister Radosław Sikorski remarked that the year 2025 is a test for our humanity and international solidarity. “We cannot avoid brave decisions to deliver humanitarian aid more swiftly and smartly to those who need it,” stressed the Polish MFA head. He added that we should focus on building humanitarian resilience and offering a comprehensive aid package.

Undersecretary of State Radwan-Röhrenschef participated in meetings with representatives of states and international organisations who are largest humanitarian aid donors.  During the meetings, the attendees talked about ways to boost the effectiveness of humanitarian activities, particularly in connection with systematic reduction of budgets available for this purpose, as well as the necessary reforms of the aid system. Another important topic discussed in Brussels was assistance for Ukraine.

During the Forum, Deputy Minister Radwan-Röhrenschef held a number of bilateral meetings, both with donors and recipients of humanitarian aid, including with the representatives of the Office of the President of Ukraine. The deputy minister also attended an opening of the exhibition presenting the activities of Polish non-governmental organisations delivering humanitarian assistance to different parts of the world.

Photo: Sebastian Indra/MFA