The European Union announced nearly €710 million in humanitarian aid to help displaced people and host communities worldwide. Major allocations include €380 million for migration-related measures in sub-Saharan Africa, €103 million for Palestine and Lebanon, €52 million for Ukraine and €7.5 million for Ebola response in the DRC. The package also sets aside €252 million for urgent needs, with final budget approval still pending.
EU Pledges Nearly €710M in Humanitarian Aid for Global Crises, Targeting Africa, the Middle East and Ukraine
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (L) talks with Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Coalition for Children's Rights and Protection in the Age of AI event during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. (is associated with: «EU announces more than €700 million aid package for crises worldwide») Mick Tsikas/AAP/dpa
The European Union has announced a humanitarian package worth almost €710 million (about $797 million) to assist displaced people and communities affected by conflict, extreme weather and rising living costs worldwide, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a video message for New York's Global Citizen Festival.
“Conflicts, extreme weather and rising living costs are disrupting the lives of many around the globe,” von der Leyen said.
Overview of the Package
The funding is intended to support displaced communities across sub-Saharan Africa and the communities hosting them, while also stepping up emergency assistance for people affected by the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine. Final approval from the relevant budgetary authority is still pending.
Key Allocations
- €380 million for migration-related measures in sub-Saharan African countries, focusing on protection for particularly vulnerable migrants, voluntary return and reintegration programmes, and responses to displacement.
- €252 million reserved to help people and communities in urgent need because of conflict, displacement, epidemics and natural disasters.
- Within that reserve, €97 million is earmarked for sub-Saharan Africa to address growing needs driven by conflict, food insecurity, malnutrition and climate shocks.
- €103 million to support vulnerable populations in Palestine and Lebanon amid ongoing hostilities, mass displacement and heavy strain on essential services.
- €52 million for humanitarian aid and emergency preparedness in Ukraine, including winter readiness, shelter, essential services and emergency energy assistance.
- €7.5 million to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to support the response to the Ebola outbreak and strengthen longer-term preparedness.
Context and Next Steps
The commission said the package responds to multiple, overlapping crises — from regional conflicts and epidemics to food insecurity and climate shocks — and is designed to support both displaced people and the communities that host them. The measures will take effect only after final approval by the EU's budgetary authority.
Who will benefit: Displaced people across sub-Saharan Africa; vulnerable populations in Palestine and Lebanon; communities in Ukraine needing winter and emergency assistance; and public health responses in the DRC for Ebola preparedness.
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