President von der Leyen announces €710 million to support displaced people in Africa and global crisis relief

As the 81st UN General Assembly High‑Level Week draws to a close in New York, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen announced almost €710 million in EU support to displaced people and communities in Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as emergency assistance to people affected by crises worldwide. This announcement was made as part of international advocacy organisation Global Citizen's 2026 campaign efforts.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said: “Conflicts, extreme weather and rising living costs are disrupting the lives of many around the globe. If we work together, we can make the world a better place. With today's package, we will support displaced communities across Africa – as well as the communities welcoming them. We are also boosting emergency aid for those affected by wars in the Middle East and Ukraine. My message is simple: Europe stands with you!”

Delivering support for people in Africa

Through the new assistance pledged today, the EU is reinforcing its partnership with African countries through €380 million in additional migration-related financing in 2026 for Sub-Saharan Africa, focused on protecting vulnerable migrants, supporting voluntary return and reintegration, strengthening migration governance, and responding to forced displacement.

This includes €240 million for the Migrant Protection, Return, and Reintegration programme for Sub-Saharan Africa and €140 million to cover, for instance, migration management, protection and durable solutions for displaced populations and host communities in Eastern Mauritania, to deliver services for refugees and host communities in Kenya, and to tackle the protracted refugee crisis there. In addition, this will promote skills development that is directly linked to real employment opportunities for the communities affected.

In addition, a €10 million Crisis Response measure will support ongoing efforts to promote peace and stability in the Great Lakes region. It will strengthen key actors working to advance peace initiatives and help connect local mediation efforts led by women, youth, and civil society organisations with the national and international peace processes. The action will also promote social cohesion and peacebuilding across the region.

A further €7.5 million will be deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo to support the response to the Ebola crisis and to increase preparedness, response and health surveillance capacity in the long-term, including through the work of the Institution Buisson Bernard (IBB) and the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development.

Strengthening global health resilience

During the High-Level Week, and as part of this campaigning effort, the Commission also announced three new Global Gateway investments that translate the EU Global Health Resilience Initiative into concrete action in partner countries. The package includes an EU guarantee designed to mobilise private investment in health and nutrition businesses in Sub-Saharan Africa; an EU-backed European Investment Bank loan to expand vaccine and biological medicines production in Colombia; and €60 million in EU funding to strengthen primary health care in Ethiopia.

Stepping up humanitarian assistance

The package announced today also includes €252 million from the Emergency Aid Reserve, pending approval by the budgetary authority. This will provide much needed emergency support to people and communities struck by conflicts, displacement, epidemics and natural disasters.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, €97 million will help respond to worsening humanitarian needs caused by conflict, food insecurity, malnutrition and climate shocks across several regions. It will also reinforce the response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighbouring countries.

A further €103 million will support vulnerable populations in Palestine and Lebanon, where continued hostilities, large-scale displacement and severe pressure on essential services are generating acute humanitarian needs.

In Ukraine, €52 million will support humanitarian assistance and emergency preparedness, including winterisation, shelter, essential services and energy-related emergency support ahead of the coming winter.

Background

The EU addresses global challenges through international partnerships that uphold and promote European values and interests and contribute to peace and prosperity in the world. Global Gateway is the European strategy to boost smart, clean and secure links in the digital, energy and transport sectors and to strengthen health, education and research systems across the world. The European Union and EU countries are among the world's leading humanitarian donors. With today's funding announcement, pending approval by the budgetary authority, the  Commission alone has already allocated over €2.53 billion for humanitarian aid since the start of the year. 

For more information

Global Gateway - International Partnerships - European Commission

Migration and forced displacement - International Partnerships

Rapid Response - European Commission's Service for Foreign Policy Instruments

Humanitarian aid - European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations