EU Pledges More Than €710 Million for Global Crisis Relief
The European Union has pledged more than €710 million to support people affected by crises, disasters and conflicts, with the largest share allocated to sub-Saharan Africa.
The European Union has pledged to release more than €710 million in aid for people affected by crises, natural disasters and conflicts around the world, with the majority of the funding allocated to sub-Saharan Africa.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the package on Saturday in a post on X, following the cancellation of New York’s Global Citizen Festival, where she had been due to speak.
In a video accompanying the announcement, von der Leyen said conflicts, extreme weather events and rising living costs were disrupting the lives of people in many parts of the world. She said the funding would support displaced communities across Africa and the communities hosting them.
Funding for Africa
According to the European Commission, €380 million will be directed to migration-related measures in sub-Saharan Africa. The support will focus on protecting vulnerable migrants, as well as voluntary return and reintegration efforts.
A further €97 million has been earmarked for humanitarian needs in the region linked to conflict, food insecurity, malnutrition and climate shocks.
The package also includes €7.5 million for the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s response to the Ebola outbreak and for future preparedness. The Commission said the wider funding would reinforce the Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighbouring countries.
Another €10 million will support efforts to promote peace and stability in the Great Lakes region, which the Commission describes as facing armed conflict, humanitarian crises and environmental changes.
Support beyond sub-Saharan Africa
The European Commission said €103 million would be provided for vulnerable populations in the Palestinian territories and Lebanon. Ukraine is due to receive €52 million for humanitarian assistance and emergency preparedness.
The Commission has not provided a complete breakdown of the overall package exceeding €710 million. The listed allocations therefore do not account for the full announced amount.
Global Gateway investments
The Commission also announced three new Global Gateway investments at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York the previous week.
The investments involve health and nutrition businesses in sub-Saharan Africa, vaccine and biological medicines production in Colombia, and primary healthcare in Ethiopia. The Ethiopia investment includes €60 million to strengthen primary healthcare.
The Commission said it had allocated €2.5 million in humanitarian aid since the beginning of the year. The latest pledge expands support for populations facing conflict, displacement, disease outbreaks, food insecurity and other emergencies, although the source does not independently verify implementation of the announced allocations.
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