EU Pledges More Than €710 Million for Crisis-Affected Communities
The European Union has pledged more than €710 million in aid for communities affected by conflicts, disasters and other crises, with a major focus on Africa.
The European Union has pledged to release more than €710 million in aid for people affected by conflicts, natural disasters and other crises around the world, with a significant share directed towards Africa.
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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the commitment in a post on X on Saturday. She said the assistance would support displaced communities across Africa and the communities hosting them.
“Conflicts, extreme weather events and rising living costs are throwing the lives of many people around the world into disarray,” von der Leyen said in a video statement referenced in the announcement.
Funding for sub-Saharan Africa
According to details released by the European Commission, €380 million has been set aside for migration-related measures in sub-Saharan Africa. The funding is intended to protect vulnerable migrants and support voluntary return and reintegration, the Commission said.
A further €97 million will address humanitarian needs linked to conflict, food insecurity, malnutrition and climate shocks in the region.
The package also includes assistance for the Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighbouring countries. Of that support, €7.5 million will be deployed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for the outbreak response and future preparedness.
The Commission said €10 million would support efforts to promote peace and stability in the Great Lakes region, which it described as facing armed conflict, humanitarian crises and environmental changes.
Support for other crisis zones
The Palestinian territories and Lebanon are to receive €103 million to assist vulnerable populations, while Ukraine will receive €52 million for humanitarian assistance and emergency preparedness.
The Commission has not provided a complete breakdown showing how the entire pledge of more than €710 million will be distributed. It also has not given a schedule for releasing the funds.
The announcement followed the cancellation of New York’s Global Citizen Festival, where von der Leyen had been due to speak.
Global Gateway investments
The European Commission also announced three new Global Gateway investments at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York the previous week.
The package includes an EU guarantee intended to encourage private investment in health and nutrition businesses in sub-Saharan Africa. It also includes an EU-backed European Investment Bank loan to expand the production of vaccines and biological medicines in Colombia.
In Ethiopia, €60 million will be used to strengthen primary healthcare.
The Commission said it had allocated €2.5 million in humanitarian aid since the start of the year. The latest commitments cover a wider range of measures, including migration support, emergency preparedness, healthcare investment and assistance for communities affected by conflict and climate-related shocks.
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