The European Union has announced €21.5 million in new humanitarian aid to support people affected by worsening crises in Venezuela and Haiti, as well as those impacted by Hurricane Melissa across the Caribbean. The funding aims to provide life-saving assistance including food, healthcare, protection services, and emergency relief to the most vulnerable populations.
Of the total amount, €14.5 million will go towards addressing the effects of the prolonged Venezuela crisis, which has also affected neighbouring countries like Colombia. The EU’s aid will focus on key areas such as protection, healthcare, and nutrition to support communities struggling with widespread shortages and displacement.
An additional €5 million has been allocated for the emergency response to Hurricane Melissa, which caused severe damage in Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti. EU humanitarian partners are already providing clean water, sanitation materials, and temporary shelters. The EU is also preparing humanitarian airbridge flights and deploying relief supplies through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Member States including France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and Germany have contributed additional support such as shelters, energy aid, and protective equipment, while Spain has deployed a medical team and field hospital.
The remaining €2 million will be used to assist communities in Haiti, where escalating gang violence continues to drive displacement and hunger. The funding will focus on food assistance and support for displaced families facing dire humanitarian conditions.
EU Commissioner for Preparedness, Crisis Management, and Equality, Hadja Lahbib, emphasized the bloc’s ongoing commitment to humanitarian aid amid multiple overlapping crises. She noted that the funding will help address severe food insecurity in Haiti and continue vital support for Venezuelans both inside and outside the country, while also bolstering recovery in hurricane-affected Caribbean nations.
This latest funding brings the EU’s total humanitarian support to Latin America and the Caribbean this year to €149 million. The initiative aligns with the goals of the upcoming EU–CELAC Summit, which seeks to strengthen partnerships between Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean through shared action on resilience, democracy, and humanitarian response.
