The new funding package was announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. She made this announcement in a video address prepared for the Global Citizen festival in New York, which had to be canceled due to severe weather conditions. "Conflicts, extreme weather events, and the rising cost of living disrupt the lives of many people around the world," von der Leyen stated, explaining the need for additional assistance. ### Most of the money will go to Africa The majority of the funds allocated by the European Union are intended for African countries south of the Sahara. First and foremost, the EU aims to support people who have been forced to leave their homes, as well as local communities hosting large numbers of displaced persons. A total of **380 million euros** is earmarked for so-called "migration-related measures." Thus, more than half of the entire announced aid package will be directed to this area. The Democratic Republic of the Congo will receive separate funding. The European Union will allocate **7.5 million euros** to the country to combat the crisis related to the Ebola outbreak. ### Assistance to the Middle East The EU also intends to increase emergency assistance to people affected by ongoing armed conflicts in the Middle East. **103 million euros** is planned for supporting the most vulnerable residents of the Palestinian territories and Lebanon. The European Commission explains the need for additional funding due to ongoing hostilities, large-scale population displacement, and the enormous strain on systems providing people with basic services. All of this, as noted by the European Commission, has led to a severe humanitarian situation. ### Ukraine will receive another 52 million euros A separate part of the new package is designated for Ukraine. The European Union will allocate **52 million euros for humanitarian aid and emergency preparedness**. The funds are intended, in particular, for preparations for the upcoming winter period. The money will also be used to provide people with housing and other basic services. Another area of focus will be providing **emergency assistance to Ukraine's energy sector**, which continues to suffer as a result of the war and Russian strikes. Thus, the new EU package addresses several major humanitarian crises in different regions of the world — from the consequences of the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East to forced migration in African countries and the fight against the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In total, the EU intends to allocate around **710 million euros** for these purposes.
