The European Commission has announced an initial €1.9 billion humanitarian aid budget for 2026 at a time when global needs are rising and funding from major donors is falling. The Commission said 239 million people currently need humanitarian assistance worldwide. Commissioner for equality, preparedness and crisis management, Hadja Lahbib, is presenting the commitment in Davos, where she is engaging the private sector on ways to support humanitarian response through innovative financing.
Global humanitarian funding priorities
The EU said its humanitarian aid will continue to focus on life-saving support in crisis areas. This includes emergency food and shelter, access to basic healthcare, protection for vulnerable groups, and support for children’s education in conflict and disaster zones. The Commission noted that as other donors reduce spending and humanitarian law faces growing pressure, the EU remains committed to principled aid that reaches people based on need.
The initial €1.9 billion allocation covers several regions and crises, including:
- €557 million for West and Central Africa, the Sahel, the Lake Chad basin, North-West Nigeria, Central Africa, Southern Africa, the Great Lakes region, and the Greater Horn of Africa
- €448 million for the Middle East, with a focus on Gaza following last year’s fragile ceasefire, as well as Iraq, Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon
- €145 million for humanitarian needs in Ukraine as Russia’s invasion enters its fourth year, plus an additional €8 million for humanitarian projects in Moldova
- €126 million for Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran to address ongoing humanitarian needs
- €95 million for Central and South America and the Caribbean, where armed conflict, violence, political instability, inequality, and environmental challenges continue to drive humanitarian crises
- €73 million for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, particularly for the Myanmar crisis and its impact in Bangladesh
- €14.6 million for North Africa, which continues to face complex political, economic, and social pressures
In addition to regional funding, more than €415 million has been set aside to respond to sudden-onset emergencies worldwide and to maintain a strategic humanitarian supply chain.
Private sector engagement in Davos
The Commission said closing the gap between record humanitarian needs and limited public funding requires new approaches. In Davos, Lahbib is meeting business leaders and investors to discuss how private companies can contribute innovation, scale, and alternative financing models to humanitarian action.
Together with the World Economic Forum, she will co-host an event titled ‘New Alliances in Aid and Development’ on 22 January. The Commission said her full Davos programme, including bilateral meetings, is publicly available.
Context on EU humanitarian role
The EU and its Member States remain the world’s leading humanitarian aid donors. The European Commission has provided humanitarian assistance since 1992, delivering aid in more than 110 countries through non-governmental organisations, international bodies including United Nations agencies, and specialised agencies.
The European Emergency Response Coordination Centre operates and can assist countries affected by major disasters, following requests from national authorities or a UN body. The centre coordinates rapid emergency deployments and links EU partners and humanitarian experts globally.
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