MEPs adopted a resolution in which they call to the European Commission's humanitarian aid and civil protection department to manage aid more efficiently and less bureaucratically while, at the same time, ensuring a high level of accountability and transparency. They also point out that EU Member States should show more political will to advance UN reform; so that accountability improves.

The European Parliament adopted in plenary session a resolution in which it criticises the management of EU humanitarian aid and, in particular, the way in which EU funds are channelled through the United Nations. MEPs would like the European Commission's humanitarian aid and civil protection department to manage aid more efficiently and less bureaucratically while, at the same time, ensuring a high level of accountability and transparency. They also want the Commission to assess the reliability of potential partner organisations better, so as to ensure that their management systems are in order.

The resolution also points out weaknesses in the transparency and accountability of UN management of EU funds. According to MEPs, it is difficult to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of this aid, as UN reports contain insufficient information on project output and outcomes. MEPs also call on the foreign policy High Representative Catherine Ashton to prioritise this issue and play a facilitating role.

The humanitarian aid and civil protection department channels its funds through about 200 partners: NGOs, UN agencies, international organisations and specialised agencies of Member States. The EU is the world’s largest humanitarian aid donor. The Commission manages its humanitarian activities from its headquarters in Brussels via a network of more than 40 field offices all over the world.