EU pledges more than €710m in humanitarian aid for crisis-hit regions

The European Union has pledged more than €710 million in humanitarian aid for people affected by conflicts, natural disasters and other crises, with particular emphasis on Africa. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the package after the cancellation of New York’s Global Citizen Festival, where she had been due to speak. She said conflicts, extreme weather and rising living costs were disrupting lives around the world.

The package includes €380 million for migration-related measures in sub-Saharan Africa, including protection for vulnerable migrants and support for voluntary return and reintegration. A further €97 million will address humanitarian needs linked to conflict, food insecurity, malnutrition and climate shocks across several African regions. The funding will also strengthen the response to Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighbouring countries.

The Democratic Republic of Congo will receive €7.5 million for Ebola response and preparedness, while €10 million will support peace and stability efforts in the Great Lakes region. The area faces armed conflict, humanitarian crises and environmental pressures. The Palestinian territories and Lebanon are due to receive €103 million, and Ukraine €52 million, for humanitarian assistance and emergency preparedness.

The Commission also announced investments outside the immediate aid package, including a guarantee to attract private health and nutrition investment in sub-Saharan Africa, an European Investment Bank loan for vaccine and biological-medicine production in Colombia, and €60 million to strengthen primary healthcare in Ethiopia. The Commission said it had allocated €2.5 billion in humanitarian aid since the start of the year.