The European Commission has announced its initial €1.9 billion humanitarian aid budget for 2026, reaffirming the EU’s commitment to life-saving assistance at a time when 239 million people worldwide need help and major donors are reducing their funding. Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib presented the funding commitment in Davos, highlighting efforts to mobilize private sector support and innovative solutions that can complement public resources and reach those most in need.
The EU’s humanitarian aid focuses on delivering emergency food, shelter, healthcare, protection for vulnerable populations, and educational support for children in crisis zones. Despite shrinking contributions from other donors and mounting challenges to humanitarian law, the EU continues to uphold its principle of providing aid wherever it is required, prioritizing both effectiveness and accountability.
The initial €1.9 billion allocation targets regions facing the most severe crises. West and Central Africa, the Sahel, Lake Chad basin, North-West Nigeria, Central Africa, Southern Africa, the Great Lakes, and the Greater Horn of Africa will receive €557 million. The Middle East, including Gaza, Iraq, Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon, will receive €448 million. Ukraine is allocated €145 million, with an additional €8 million for Moldova. Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran will receive €126 million, while €95 million is set aside for Central and South America and the Caribbean, and €73 million for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, notably the Myanmar crisis. North Africa will receive €14.6 million. Over €415 million is reserved for rapid response to sudden-onset emergencies and maintaining a strategic supply chain.
At Davos, Commissioner Lahbib emphasized the need for private sector involvement to bridge the gap between soaring humanitarian needs and available resources. Together with the World Economic Forum, she co-hosted an event on ‘New Alliances in Aid and Development’ to explore how businesses and investors can bring scale, innovation, and new financing models to humanitarian operations. Lahbib stressed that public funding alone cannot meet the global crisis, positioning Europe as a leading actor in mobilizing both political and financial support.
The EU, together with its Member States, is the world’s largest humanitarian aid donor and has been providing assistance since 1992 in over 110 countries. Aid is delivered through non-governmental organizations, international organizations including UN agencies, and specialized agencies in Member States. The European Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) ensures rapid deployment of aid for any country affected by major disasters, operating 24/7 as a hub for coordination among EU Member States, participating nations, and humanitarian experts.
