The European Union has committed more than 710 million euros in humanitarian assistance directed toward populations affected by conflicts, natural disasters, and other emergencies globally, with significant allocations earmarked for African nations and other crisis regions.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the funding package on Saturday through a video statement, noting that conflicts, extreme weather events, and rising living costs have created widespread hardship internationally. The announcement came after von der Leyen was unable to speak at New York’s Global Citizen Festival, where she had been scheduled to appear.
The funding distribution targets multiple regions and priorities. Sub-Saharan Africa will receive 380 million euros focused on migration-related measures, including protection for vulnerable migrants and support for voluntary return and reintegration programs. An additional 97 million euros has been designated for sub-Saharan Africa to address humanitarian needs stemming from conflict, food insecurity, malnutrition, and climate-related emergencies. The package also allocates 7.5 million euros specifically for the Democratic Republic of Congo to support response efforts to an Ebola outbreak and strengthen future preparedness capabilities. Another 10 million euros will support peace and stability initiatives in the Great Lakes region, an area experiencing ongoing armed conflict and humanitarian challenges.
Other regions receiving support include the Palestinian territories and Lebanon, which will share 103 million euros for vulnerable populations, and Ukraine, which will receive 52 million euros for humanitarian assistance and emergency preparedness measures.
The Commission additionally announced three Global Gateway investments unveiled during the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. These initiatives include an EU guarantee to mobilize private investment in health and nutrition businesses across sub-Saharan Africa, an EU-backed European Investment Bank loan supporting vaccine and biological medicines production expansion in Colombia, and 60 million euros allocated to strengthen primary healthcare infrastructure in Ethiopia. The Commission stated it had distributed 2.5 million euros in humanitarian aid since the start of the year.
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