18 March 2026
Bilbao
On 11 March, the Institute hosted a conference dedicated to humanitarian action and the role of international organisations in crisis contexts.
Jean-Raphaël Poitou, Head of Institutional Relations for the Middle East at Action Against Hunger-Spain (ACH-Spain), addressed the challenges posed by legal, security, and financial restrictions on the delivery of aid in Gaza and other contexts. Action Against Hunger is a humanitarian organisation active in more than 50 countries, currently assisting over 21 million people worldwide. At the beginning of 2026, more than 239 million people are expected to need humanitarian assistance. In a context of severe funding cuts, humanitarian actors must operate in an increasingly complex environment to ensure access for those most in need.
During the session, the organisation’s work in areas such as nutrition, water and sanitation access, food security, mental health, and advocacy was presented. Jean-Raphaël Poitou highlighted how these interventions aim to guarantee access to food, water, and healthcare for populations affected by conflict, natural disasters, and humanitarian crises.
A central focus of the presentation was the explanation of the fundamental humanitarian principles that guide NGO action: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence. These principles ensure that aid is provided solely based on people’s needs, without discrimination or political or military interference.
The conference also covered the legal framework regulating humanitarian action, particularly International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and various UN Security Council resolutions related to the protection of civilians, humanitarian and healthcare personnel, and the prevention of the use of hunger as a weapon of war.
Additionally, the conference highlighted examples of Action Against Hunger’s interventions in international contexts—from Gaza, Ukraine, and Afghanistan to Latin America and Europe—and analysed the main challenges facing humanitarian action, including access restrictions, the militarisation of aid, destruction of infrastructure, and disinformation.
