The 4th European Humanitarian Forum (EHF) was held in Brussels, Belgium, from May 19 to 20, 2025. 

Since its establishment, the EHF has served as a high-level dialogue platform for policymakers and key stakeholders in the international humanitarian field to exchange views. Firzan Hashim (COO/A-PAD Sri Lanka Representative) represented from A-PAD.

In a workshop titled “The Economics of Environmental and Climate Action Under Humanitarian Impact,” various stakeholders exchanged opinions on how to finance humanitarian aid in a manner commensurate with the severity of the crises caused by climate change. 

Mr. Hashim emphasized the need to shift thinking from traditional aid to a prevention-focused, economically sustainable model. He also introduced examples where A-PAD, by strategically utilizing private sector resources, has achieved a much higher return on investment compared to conventional emergency response.

The importance of positioning companies not merely as donors but as active partners was also highlighted. By leveraging corporate logistics networks, communication systems, and localized knowledge, it was demonstrated that preparedness not only protects communities but is also an economically rational approach. 

Moreover, a collaborative effort with the Connecting Business Initiative (CBi) led to the introduction of a new network. This network actively engages the private sector across regional and international levels to deploy corporate strengths in support of disaster preparedness and resilience building.