EU unlocks €710mil aid for crisis-hit communities

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen announced on Saturday that the European Union will release €710 million to aid communities affected by crises, natural disasters, conflicts, and epidemics. The majority of this financial assistance will be directed towards Africa. In her statement to the UN General Assembly, von der Leyen highlighted that conflicts, extreme weather conditions, and increasing living costs are significantly disrupting the lives of people worldwide.

With this package, the EU aims to support displaced communities across Africa and those communities that are welcoming them. The EU plans to allocate €380 million to Sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on protecting vulnerable migrants, facilitating voluntary return and reintegration, enhancing migration governance, and addressing forced displacement.

Additionally, the EU has set aside €252 million from its emergency aid reserve to assist communities impacted by conflict, forced displacement, epidemics, and natural disasters. This funding will be utilized for individuals in sub-Saharan Africa, the Palestinian territories, Lebanon, and Ukraine, with the latter preparing for the upcoming winter.

Smaller amounts will be allocated to promote stability in the crisis-ridden Great Lakes region and to help the Democratic Republic of Congo combat the Ebola outbreak in the eastern part of the country.