In an increasingly challenging world, marked by the exacerbation of conflicts, climate change, environmental degradation and the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU promotes integrated responses to humanitarian crises, often protracted and needing long-term solutions. While needs are becoming more complex, the funding gap is widening and the delivery of aid is becoming more difficult and dangerous. In this light, the European Commission has committed to provide humanitarian funding of almost €11.5 billion over the period 2021-2027.

The EU provides assistance to crisis zones and countries facing post-conflict instability helping affected populations around the globe. The EU is also raising awareness of 'forgotten crises' – often protracted crises which have escaped the attention of the media and the international community, devoting 15% of its initial humanitarian budget to these crises.

The EU works in all major crisis areas, including Syria, South Sudan, Ukraine, Ebola-hit West Africa, Sahel, Yemen, Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan and Venezuela, saving lives, reducing suffering and protecting the security and dignity of those affected.

The EU is a leading international donor in situations of forced displacement. In 2020, the EU allocated most of its humanitarian budget of more than €900 million to projects that address the needs of refugees and forcibly displaced, and local communities.  

The EU, as a Team Europe, is at the forefront of the global response to the COVID-19 Pandemic supporting inclusive and equitable access to vaccines through the COVAX Facility  and promoting a green and sustainable recovery, in close partnership with its Member States (the Team Europe approach - link) and relevant actors around the globe.

In the current global context where humanitarian aid is facing an unprecedented set of challenges, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, and humanitarian needs are at an all-time high, the EU has worked on a renewed strategic vision to address these challenges by working in partnership and promoting integrated approaches.

The new Communication on the EU’s humanitarian action: new challenges, same principles outlines how the EU will meet the rising humanitarian needs and show leadership at a time when the pandemic is worsening conditions for millions worldwide.

The Communication proposes a series of actions toward the provision of humanitarian aid by expanding the resource base, supporting a better environment for humanitarian partners, addressing the root causes of crises, and reducing humanitarian needs, in a Team Europe approach. It also sets out an agenda for the EU to support a better enabling environment for humanitarian aid, increasing compliance with international humanitarian law as well as further stepping up its support to humanitarian partners in navigating sanctioned environments.

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