Around 300 million people are estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance in 2024 and the EU once again reaffirms its determination to help the most vulnerable populations around the world. Consequently, the European Commission adopted its annual humanitarian budget of over 1.8 billion euros for this year.

Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarcic said: “At the beginning of 2024, the gap between humanitarian needs and available resources continues to grow. At the same time, financing needs are greatly increased, conflicts are multiplying and the climate crisis is worsening. In 2023, the funding gap reached new records as not even 40% of the $56.7 million needed was provided. Against this worrying trend, the European Commission will continue to fund humanitarian actions in favor of the most vulnerable populations, whoever they are and wherever they are around the world. We will continue to mobilize the international community and call for this alarming funding gap to be collectively covered. We will also continue to make a strong contribution to strengthening cross-sector cooperation, especially with development actors, to strengthen local resilience and deliver vital assistance to populations in need, and help as many people as possible become aid-dependent. Last year, the EU took an important step in this direction by setting a voluntary target of gross national income (GNI) to be earmarked by our member states for humanitarian aid. This responsibility, which we share globally, cannot be assumed by Europe alone. In 2023, over 91% of contributions came from 20 donors, with the top three donors (including the European Commission) providing 58% of global humanitarian funding. This situation is not sustainable. The international community must find a more balanced and fair way of funding humanitarian aid based on each country’s capabilities.

Since 1992, the European Commission has provided humanitarian aid to over 110 countries, benefiting millions of people around the world every year. This assistance is provided through humanitarian partner organisations, such as European humanitarian NGOs, international organizations (including UN agencies) and specialized organizations in Member States.

Lena Flitzani