The European Commission will support with almost EUR 710 million displaced persons and communities in sub-Saharan Africa, and strengthen humanitarian aid for people affected by conflicts and other crises, the President of the institution announced today.
© Reuters
26/09/2026
by
Lusa
Ursula von der Leyen made the announcement at the end of the high-level week of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York under the campaign of 2026 of the Global Citizen organization.
“Conflicts, extreme weather phenomena and rising cost of living are disrupting the lives of many people around the world,” said Ursula von der Leyen, adding that the package will support displaced communities in Africa and those who welcome them and strengthen emergency aid in the Middle East and Ukraine.
From the package announced, EUR 380 million corresponds to additional funding related to migration in sub-Saharan Africa in 2026, aimed at protecting vulnerable migrants, voluntary return and reintegration, migration management and response to forced movements.
Of this amount, EUR 240 million will be allocated to the Migrant Protection, Return and Reintegration Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa.
The remaining 140 million will serve, among other measures, to support the management of migrations and displaced populations and host communities in eastern Mauritania, provide services to refugees and host communities in Kenya and respond to the prolonged refugee crisis in Kenya.
The Commission also announced EUR 10 million to support peace and stability efforts in the Great Lakes region by strengthening mediation initiatives and the participation of women, young people and civil society organisations in peace processes.
Another EUR 7.5 million will be allocated to the Democratic Republic of Congo to respond to the Ebola outbreak and to strengthen the capacity for preparedness, response and health surveillance.
In the field of health, Brussels announced three Global Gateway investments, including a European guarantee to mobilise private investment in health and nutrition companies in sub-Saharan Africa.
A loan from the European Investment Bank is also planned to increase the production of biological vaccines and medicines in Colombia and EUR 60 million to strengthen primary health care in Ethiopia.
In the humanitarian component, the Commission proposes to mobilise EUR 252 million from the Emergency Aid Reserve, a measure still dependent on the approval of the EU budgetary authority.
The budget is intended to meet the needs of people affected by conflicts, displacements, epidemics and natural disasters.
Sub-Saharan Africa will receive €97 million to respond to the worsening needs caused by conflicts, food insecurity, malnutrition and extreme climate phenomena, including strengthening the response to Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighbouring countries.
Another EUR 103 million is intended for vulnerable populations in Palestine and Lebanon, where hostilities, large-scale movements and pressure on essential services are, according to the Commission, generating acute humanitarian needs.
For Ukraine EUR 52 million of humanitarian aid and emergency preparedness are planned, including winter measures, accommodation, essential services and emergency energy support.
According to the European Commission, with the amounts now announced, and depending on the necessary budgetary approval, the Community executive has already allocated more than EUR 2,53 billion in humanitarian aid since the beginning of the year.
The package is part of the EU's policy of international partnerships, which includes the Global Gateway strategy for investments in the digital, energy and transport sectors and for strengthening health, education and research systems.