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Humanitarian professionals call for better funding and training for natural disasters
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Humanitarian professionals call for better funding and training for natural disasters

The third session of the EU Solidarity Talks series at the Complutense University of Madrid focused on improving funding and training for humanitarian aid during natural disasters. The event was organized by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO). José Antonio Sanahuja, a professor and former advisor to the EU High Representative, emphasized that supporting humanitarian action is essential for defending multilateralism. He highlighted the significant reduction in global development assistance, noting a 26% drop in Official Development Assistance in 2025 largely due to the dismantling of USAID in the United States. Irama Ficht Muñoz, a project director for the EU’s humanitarian office in Caracas, stressed the importance of international cooperation and preparedness, citing a consortium involving the German Red Cross operating in Venezuela and Colombia. She referenced the June earthquake in Venezuela, which killed over 6,000 people, and noted that the EU allocated 15 million euros and deployed 750 rescue personnel in response.

Humanitarian professionals gathered in Madrid this week to demand improved funding and training for disaster response efforts. The third session of the EU Solidarity Talks series focused on strengthening aid programs to mitigate the impact of natural disasters on populations. Organized by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations at the Complutense University of Madrid, the event highlighted the human dimension of crisis management. Jose Antonio Sanahuja, a professor of International Relations at the university and former special advisor for Latin America and the Caribbean to High Representative Josep Borrell, stated that humanity cannot remain indifferent. He described humanitarian action as integral to defending multilateralism. Sanahuja referenced recent cuts made by the United States, which announced one year ago the cancellation of 83 percent of external aid programs under the dismantled United States Agency for International Development. He noted that 2025 recorded the largest cut in official development assistance in history, with a decline of 26 percent largely driven by the sudden elimination of that agency. Irama Ficht Munoz, director of projects for the EU Humanitarian Aid Office in Caracas, emphasized the critical role of international cooperation. She cited EU-funded coordination projects executed by a consortium where the German Red Cross acts as a strategic partner to channel aid through counterparts in Venezuela and Colombia. Ficht argued that preparation levels should be uniform on the ground because civil protection, fire services, and primary care units usually respond first. She stressed that these events ignore borders, noting that installed capacity benefits local communities directly. The discussion referenced the June earthquake in Venezuela, which affected more than one million people and caused 6,438 deaths according to official figures. The EU allocated 15 million euros to address urgent needs and deployed 750 rescue personnel. Cristina Izquierdo, health and nutrition coordinator for Action Against Hunger’s Emergency Team, added that understanding immediate needs and national response capabilities is vital. She observed that no two emergencies are identical, requiring constant assessment upon arrival. In a related development four months after the Venezuelan quake, Argentine defender Lucas Trejo revealed solidarity gestures from the Messi family. Trejo lost his wife and two children in the tragedy. Speaking to Radio La Red, he disclosed that Antonela Roccuzzo and her foundation were the first to provide help while he was searching through rubble. They sent water, food, internet equipment, and materials to build a tent among the debris. Trejo described receiving this aid during a period of profound shock. Weeks later, after returning to Argentina without possessions, Trejo received further assistance in Cordoba. A relative of former coach Guillermo Hoyos delivered two suitcases. One contained clothing and money raised by Inter Miami staff to re-equip him. The other was sent directly by Lionel Messi, who included his own clothes and shoes. This occurred while Messi was playing in the World Cup. Trejo expressed amazement that a player of such global stature took time to offer personal support during such a difficult moment. He called the gesture beautiful and expressed hope to meet the Inter Miami squad and the Messi family soon to thank them personally. He praised the human quality present within the club.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 2 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

2 reports

Clarín logoClarínIndependentProgressiveFactual 95Objective 90
Humanitarian professionals call for better funding and training for natural disasters

The third session of the EU Solidarity Talks series at the Complutense University of Madrid focused on improving funding and training for humanitarian aid during natural disasters. The event was organized by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO). José Antonio Sanahuja, a professor and former advisor to the EU High Representative, emphasized that supporting humanitarian action is essential for defending multilateralism. He highlighted the significant reduction in global development assistance, noting a 26% drop in Official Development Assistance in 2025 largely due to the dismantling of USAID in the United States. Irama Ficht Muñoz, a project director for the EU’s humanitarian office in Caracas, stressed the importance of international cooperation and preparedness, citing a consortium involving the German Red Cross operating in Venezuela and Colombia. She referenced the June earthquake in Venezuela, which killed over 6,000 people, and noted that the EU allocated 15 million euros and deployed 750 rescue personnel in response.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the issue through the lens of multilateralism and criticizes the US decision to dismantle USAID, describing it as a 'dismantling' and linking it to the largest historical cut in development aid. It emphasizes the necessity of state-led international cooperation and portrays the EU

Why factuality (95): The article accurately reports details from a specific EU event held at UCM Madrid. It correctly identifies the organizer (DG ECHO), the speaker (Jose Antonio Sanahuja), and his specific claims regarding US aid cuts (citing an 83% cut to USAID programs and a 26% drop in ODA). The text appears to be

Why objectivity (90): The tone is professional and journalistic. While it quotes a speaker who uses emotive language ('cannot remain impassible'), the article itself remains neutral, presenting the facts of the conference and the speakers' arguments without injecting editorial bias or sensationalism.

Perfil logoPerfilIndependentCenterFactual: no official source document/info detectedObjective 40
"It's something I'll never forget": the touching gesture of the Messi family with Lucas Trejo

Argentine defender Lucas Trejo, who lost his wife and two children in a recent earthquake in Venezuela, revealed that he received significant humanitarian aid from the family of football star Lionel Messi. Trejo stated that Antonela Roccuzzo’s foundation was among the first to provide essential supplies such as water, food, and shelter materials during the immediate aftermath of the disaster. Weeks later, after returning to Argentina with few possessions, Trejo received two suitcases in Cordoba; one contained funds raised by Inter Miami staff, while the other included clothing and shoes sent directly by Messi, who was competing in the World Cup at the time. The former Instituto player described the gesture as unforgettable and expressed deep gratitude for the support provided by both the Roccuzzo foundation and the Inter Miami community.

Bias read (Center): The article focuses entirely on a humanitarian act within the sports world, highlighting the charitable actions of a famous athlete and his family. There is no discussion of political policies, government actions, or ideological debates. The tone is celebratory and human-interest oriented, typical l

Why factuality: no official source document/info detected

Why objectivity (40): The writing is highly sentimental and promotional. Phrases like 'moving gesture,' 'transcends sport,' and 'something I will never forget' frame the story as a heartwarming human interest piece rather than a neutral report. It focuses exclusively on the positive actions of the Messis without providin

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