Ukrainian Red Cross Participation in the European Humanitarian Forum (Brussels, 19–20 May)

The European Humanitarian Forum, held for the fourth time in Brussels on 19–20 May, has become an important and inclusive platform for dialogue between European institutions and both international and local partners. Its aim is to strengthen the global humanitarian response.

This year’s programme focused on humanitarian diplomacy as a means of safeguarding the space for aid delivery and ensuring respect for international humanitarian law. It also aimed to foster cross-sector cooperation and identify sustainable solutions in the face of growing global instability.

Maksym Dotsenko, Director General of the Ukrainian Red Cross, presented the organisation’s key achievements since the onset of the full-scale invasion and outlined its main challenges and priorities for 2025.

He emphasised that more than 13 million people have received assistance from the Ukrainian Red Cross, including evacuation support, psychosocial care, humanitarian and financial aid, medical services, and support for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and healthcare facilities. In the coming year, the organisation will focus on strengthening the emergency response system, improving access to social services, and supporting the most vulnerable.

Forum participants called for enhanced cooperation between governments, humanitarian actors, and non-governmental organisations to better support those affected by armed conflict. Joint action, knowledge sharing, and partnerships with European institutions are seen as essential for both effective emergency response and post-war recovery.