The Inconsistent Approach of the EU towards Forgotten Crises. A Comparison between EU's action in Syria and South Sudan.

The Thesis examines the European Union’s approach towards “forgotten crises” – humanitarian crises that, despite their severity, receive insufficient international aid and media attention. The aim is to assess whether the EU’s response aligns with its role as a global humanitarian leader and its stated commitments, or if, instead, it contributes to the deprioritization of certain crises. After analyzing the structural factors that contribute to forgotten crises – the widening humanitarian funding gap and the lack of media coverage – the Thesis provides a comprehensive evaluation of the EU’s approach, with a focus on the 2019-2024 Commission. First, DG ECHO’s “Forgotten Crises Assessment” (FCA) is examined and compared with methodologies used by other organizations. While the EU’s evaluation of crisis risk and severity, and humanitarian aid levels is robust, limitations emerge in its assessment of media coverage, political commitment, and in its qualitative analysis. A comparative study is then conducted on the EU’s concrete humanitarian response to South Sudan, classified as a forgotten crisis by DG ECHO in 2024, and Syria, which was not. The findings reveal significant inconsistencies: while Syria has received sustained political engagement, joint financial pledges with Member States, and high media visibility, South Sudan has remained largely absent from EU narratives and high-profile commitments. Ultimately, the research demonstrates that the EU’s humanitarian response is influenced by geopolitical interests and regional displacement patterns. While financial support to forgotten crises like South Sudan remains substantial, the lack of political engagement and visibility limits the EU’s ability to mobilize broader international support. Addressing forgotten crises requires a more consistent and proactive EU approach – one that extends beyond financial commitments to ensure equitable, needs-based, and sustainable humanitarian responses.