At the start of 2026, Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs prioritized humanitarian assistance to address urgent crises worldwide, with a particular focus on Ukraine, major refugee situations in Africa, and humanitarian needs in the Middle East. Out of a total €72 million in humanitarian aid allocated this year, €20 million has been earmarked specifically for Ukraine. The humanitarian situation in Ukraine is critical due to the ongoing war and harsh winter, with Russia’s strikes on energy infrastructure leaving millions without heating, electricity, or running water. Civilians in frontline areas and major cities continue to face severe challenges.
Finland’s €20 million support for Ukraine will be channeled through UN humanitarian agencies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). This funding is aimed at helping Ukrainians survive the winter and recover from the destruction caused by Russia’s attacks, providing heaters, fuel, clothing, cash assistance, and repairs for housing, water, power, and heating systems. Specifically, €6 million is allocated to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), €6 million to the World Food Programme (WFP), €5 million to the ICRC, and €3 million to the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund managed by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio emphasized that Finland’s assistance is vital in supplying energy and heating to meet basic humanitarian needs, stating that “Finland stands by Ukraine” as the conflict continues to escalate the hardships faced by civilians. Finland has consistently supported Ukraine since the start of the war and intends to continue doing so in the coming years.
Beyond Ukraine, Finland’s humanitarian aid also targets pressing needs across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The country supports UNHCR operations in the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region (€3 million), WFP programs addressing famine and food security in Sudan (€2 million), and ICRC efforts in the Sahel region (€2 million). In the Middle East, Finland provides €5 million through OCHA to support Palestinians and €2 million via ICRC. Additional assistance addresses the humanitarian crises in Myanmar, Bangladesh (Rohingya refugees), and Haiti through UNHCR, OCHA, and WFP.
Finland is also prioritizing disability inclusion in its humanitarian response, allocating €6 million through WFP, UNHCR, the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), and the Global Disability Fund (GDF) to ensure aid reaches the most vulnerable populations. Furthermore, €4 million is directed to WFP’s school meals programs, which provide critical nutrition to children who may receive no other daily meal during crises.
In addition to targeted assistance, Finland provides core funding to multilateral humanitarian organizations, allowing flexibility to respond quickly to emerging crises. Remaining humanitarian funding for 2026 will be allocated later in the year, with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs also supporting Finnish civil society organizations through multi-year program-based funding from 2026 to 2029.
