Humanitarian action is an expression of national, regional and global solidarity. Humanitarian action is a shared responsibility with everyone involved having clearly defined roles, with governments taking the overall lead. Any new thinking about humanitarian action should focus on including and empowering local communities and their representatives to be in a position to respond more effectively.

Humanitarian work is the result of a collective commitment. It is a chain of solidarity which involves humanitarians on the ground as well as donors, communities, businesses, foundations, partners among which can even be found... publicists, such as BDDP which has gracefully accompanied us for more than 10 years.

Consequently, the massive mobilization of global solidarity has not been able to offset a growing estrangement between country needs and global support, and between people's expectations for decent care and the priorities set by their health-sector managers. Moreover, the growth in aid-flow mechanisms and new implementing institutions has further heightened the degree of complexity faced by weak government bureaucracies in donor-dependent countries, increasing transaction costs for those countries that can least afford them.

It all began with the image of a small, dead child, lying on a foreign beach. A picture is worth a thousand words. This picture circulated around the world, testifying to a lack of respect for the family of this young victim, setting into motion a wave of indignation. This sudden interest of the international community, and the global sense of injustice that followed, were undoubtedly due to the humanization of the distress and pain of those seeking protection, as caught in one snapshot. Yet work with and for migrants is a historic priority of the international network of Médecins du Monde (MdM). Above all, this crisis is political, with some defining it as a crisis of solidarity.

Since March 2015, Europe has been facing what is being called 'an unprecedented migration crisis', which is a true crisis of hospitality and solidarity.

We are facing the biggest refugee and displacement crisis of our time. Above all, this is not just a crisis of numbers; it is also a crisis of solidarity. – Ban Ki Moon, former United Nations Secretary General South Sudan

With inequality, intolerance and conflict on the rise, these are challenging times for all those who believe in the principles of equality, solidarity and justice.

Caritas International is closely involved in this initiative that will dedicate thousands of volunteers and programs to increase awareness and encounters between migrants and refugees that Caritas supports and host communities. By doing this, we hope to reaffirm the rights of these people and build a new narrative around the fundamental issue of global solidarity.

Europe is now facing a moment of truth. Now is the time to redefine the values of solidarity and human rights on which the European project was built.

Solidarity is a heavy term. To be in solidarity with those who have had to flee their homes and leave everything behind is to fight for their fair treatment and empowerment where they need it most: first countries of asylum.