Bogotá, 7 November 2025. The European Commission's Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Colombian Red Cross have issued a joint call to increase investment in, and localise, preparedness and response to humanitarian crises in Latin America and the Caribbean. In 2025 alone, more than 34 million people in this region require urgent assistance.
This appeal was made at a meeting in Bogotá, Colombia entitled: "From commitment to action: humanitarian innovation in European Union–Latin America and Caribbean cooperation." The meeting was held in anticipation of the 4th CELAC–EU Summit, which was held in Santa Marta, Colombia, on 8 and 9 November.
The event brought together Colombian authorities, government representatives, multilateral organisation representatives, and Red Cross representatives, who proposed new forms of cooperation focused on local action.
'"In a scenario of growing crises, the Colombian Red Cross reaffirms its commitment to people's lives and dignity, and is dedicated to strengthening its strategic alliances with the European Union, the Red Cross family, and other key stakeholders to deliver rapid, coordinated, and innovative responses," said Dr Judith Carvajal de Álvarez, president of the Colombian Red Cross. "We call for increased investment in community preparedness and resilience, which is essential to ensure that aid reaches where it is needed.'"
At the event, Hadja Lahbib, the European Union Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness, and Crisis Management, announced an increase of €21.5 million in European Union humanitarian cooperation in the region.
Lahbib reviewed the EU's efforts to provide assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, acknowledging the magnitude of the humanitarian challenges in the region. She also visited Quibdó in Colombia and spent time with communities affected by violence and disasters.
"In Colombia, communities have seen floods wash away their homes, violence drive families from their land and armed groups take their young people away. Yet, across the country, volunteers, local leaders and first responders continue to demonstrate extraordinary resilience and determination,'"said Lahbib.
"The EU backs these efforts with practical support, from providing humanitarian funding and disaster preparedness training to protecting the most vulnerable, including women, young people, and displaced families. We act through collaboration because that is how lives are protected and hope is rebuilt."
At least one in four disasters worldwide occurs in Latin America and the Caribbean, causing annual economic losses of US$58 billion and putting the lives and livelihoods of the most vulnerable communities at risk. This is exacerbated by the fact that millions of people in the region live in areas under the control or influence of armed groups.
Global trends project an alarming increase in the frequency of hazards, with the number of disasters expected to reach 560 per year — or 1.5 per day — by 2030.
A strategic shift towards locally led humanitarian action
At the meeting, participants agreed that traditional response models are inadequate for dealing with increasingly protracted and interconnected crises, which are characterised by the impact of climate change, structural inequality, violence, economic instability and forced displacement. In this context, they reaffirmed the strategic and ethical imperative of locally led humanitarian action.
Specific recommendations included transitioning to flexible, multi-year funding mechanisms, bolstering civic space and the leadership of local stakeholders, and leveraging instruments such as the Global Gateway to invest in inclusive and sustainable humanitarian systems.
They also emphasised the importance of consolidating humanitarian cooperation between CELAC and the EU. The Red Cross urged states to make decisions and allocate resources to reinforce international humanitarian law, reduce disaster risk, provide assistance to displaced people, build climate resilience and deliver health and protection services.
"Investing in local humanitarian action is not a future goal; it is a present-day decision that involves transferring power to where it belongs: to the communities and local actors who are already spearheading preparedness, response and the path to resilience," said Xavier Castellanos, IFRC's Under Secretary General for National Society Development and Coordination.
"One of these key local actors is the National Red Cross Societies. Guided by their principles and working alongside the population and public authorities, they prevent crises, respond to them, and ensure that people recover with dignity and humanity."
The meeting also promoted the triple nexus approach, linking humanitarian action, development, and peacebuilding. Successful examples were highlighted in Colombia, Haiti, and Central America, where cooperation between local and European actors has strengthened community resilience through early warning systems, primary health networks, and protection mechanisms for migrants.
Finally, it was emphasised that isolated approaches are no longer viable, and there was a call to move beyond traditional, donor-centred frameworks and promote partnerships based on mutual trust, shared governance and long-term commitments.
Download the Statement: “From Commitment to Action: Humanitarian Innovation in EU-LAC Cooperation”
For more information, contact: [email protected]
Susana Arroyo Barrantes +50769993199
Angie Juliet Romero +57 320 4314860