On Wednesday 21 January, the European Commission announced an initial humanitarian budget of €1.9 billion for 2026, at a time when 239 million people around the world need humanitarian aid and several major donors are reducing their funding.
This budget funds vital assistance in crisis zones, including emergency food aid, shelter, essential healthcare, protection for the most vulnerable populations and support for children’s education.
At a time when international humanitarian law is being undermined, the European Union is maintaining a principled approach to aid that is targeted at those in need.
€557 million will be devoted to West and Central Africa, the Sahel, the Lake Chad Basin and the Horn of Africa. The Middle East will receive €448 million, in particular for Gaza, as well as Iraq, Yemen, Syria and Lebanon. Ukraine will receive €145 million and €8 million will go to Moldova.
Funding is also planned for South Asia, Latin America, South-East Asia and North Africa.
Over €415 million has been set aside to respond to sudden emergencies and ensure the continuity of supply chains.
The European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, present this Wednesday in Davos (Switzerland), where the World Economic Forum is taking place, called for greater mobilisation of the private sector to complement public funding with innovative solutions and improve access to aid for the populations concerned. (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)