EU expands humanitarian response with fresh support for displaced people and global crises

By Angel No Lie | KPD Online | September 27, 2026

BRUSSELS — The European Union has announced almost €710 million in additional support for displaced people and communities in Sub-Saharan Africa, alongside emergency humanitarian assistance for people affected by conflicts, epidemics and natural disasters around the world.

The announcement was made on September 26, 2026, by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week in New York came to a close. The package was announced as part of the 2026 campaign efforts of international advocacy organisation Global Citizen.

Displaced people and families gather in a humanitarian settlement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, one of the areas facing significant displacement and humanitarian needs.

Africa receives major share of new support

The new package includes €380 million in additional migration-related financing for Sub-Saharan Africa. The funding is intended to support vulnerable migrants, voluntary return and reintegration, migration management and longer-term solutions for displaced populations and their host communities.

Of that amount, €240 million is earmarked for the EU’s Migrant Protection, Return and Reintegration programme in Sub-Saharan Africa, while another €140 million will support areas including protection and durable solutions for displaced populations and host communities.

The announcement also includes €60 million to strengthen primary healthcare in Ethiopia, as well as an EU guarantee intended to encourage private investment in health and nutrition businesses in Sub-Saharan Africa.

New EU Funding Supports Displaced Families and Crisis Zones

Emergency assistance for conflict and disaster zones

Alongside the broader Africa package, the European Commission announced €252 million from its Emergency Aid Reserve, subject to approval by the EU’s budgetary authority.

The proposed emergency funding includes €97 million for humanitarian needs in Sub-Saharan Africa, including responses to conflict, food insecurity, malnutrition and climate-related shocks. It will also contribute to the response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighbouring countries.

Another €103 million is intended for vulnerable populations in Palestine and Lebanon, while €52 million will support humanitarian assistance and emergency preparedness in Ukraine, including shelter, essential services and winter preparations.

EU humanitarian funding reaches billions

The latest announcement comes after the European Commission established an initial €1.9 billion humanitarian aid budget for 2026. The EU says more than 240 million people are expected to require humanitarian assistance this year.

The EU provides humanitarian assistance through organisations including UN agencies, international organisations and non-governmental organisations. Its humanitarian network operates across more than 110 countries.

The Commission said that, with the latest announcement, it has allocated more than €2.53 billion in humanitarian aid since the beginning of 2026, although part of the newly announced emergency funding remains subject to budgetary approval.

Growing pressure on humanitarian operations

The new funding comes as humanitarian agencies face increasing demands from armed conflicts, displacement, extreme weather events and other emergencies.

The European Commission said in May that 239 million people worldwide needed humanitarian assistance, while available global humanitarian funding was sufficient to reach fewer than half of those in need.

The EU’s humanitarian policy is based on assistance according to need and the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence.

For many displaced communities, humanitarian support provides access to food, healthcare, shelter, clean water, sanitation and protection while longer-term solutions are pursued.