Amman, January 21 (Petra) The European Commission on Wednesday announced an initial humanitarian aid budget of €1.9 billion for 2026.

In a statement, the Commission said the funding comes at a time when 239 million people worldwide are ib need for humanitarian assistance, even as major donors reduce their contributions.

EU humanitarian aid focuses on life-saving support where it is most needed, including food assistance, emergency shelter, basic healthcare, protection for the most vulnerable and support for children's education in crisis-affected areas.

According to the Commission, the aid package includes €557 million for West and Central Africa, the Sahel region, the Lake Chad Basin, northwest Nigeria, Central Africa, Southern Africa, the Great Lakes region and the Horn of Africa.

A further €448 million is allocated to the Middle East, with a particular focus on the Gaza Strip to support a fragile ceasefire reached last year, as well as assistance for Iraq, Yemen, Syria and Lebanon.

//Petra// AK

21/01/2026 20:20:24