The European Commission has announced a significant humanitarian pledge of over €2.3 billion for 2025, aimed at addressing urgent global crises. This announcement was made during the European Humanitarian Forum, which concluded today in Brussels. The funds will be directed towards alleviating the humanitarian impact of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, addressing situations across the Middle East, particularly in Gaza, and responding to the escalating crisis in Sudan.
The forum took place amidst record levels of humanitarian needs driven by ongoing armed conflicts, climate-related disasters, and food insecurity. Over 305 million people globally are currently in need of urgent assistance. In response to this challenging situation, the EU and its Member States committed to enhancing humanitarian diplomacy, strengthening respect for International Humanitarian Law, and fostering an integrated response to fragility.
Currently recognized as the world’s leading humanitarian donor, the EU is also a key advocate for principled humanitarian action.
During the forum, key commitments were highlighted. The EU reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ukraine indefinitely while underscoring the need for sustained international engagement. Regarding Gaza, participants emphasized the importance of unimpeded access to aid. Although there are indications of a limited restart of aid by Israel, large-scale distribution of life-saving assistance remains essential.
Sudan’s crisis was also discussed as it now represents the world’s largest displacement emergency. Participants called for more effective and coordinated responses to meet growing needs and address regional spillover effects.
The forum gathered participants from various sectors including EU Member States, international partners, civil society organizations, and local actors. Discussions focused on upholding humanitarian principles and ensuring access to affected populations while improving response effectiveness and sustainability.
Sessions stressed local leadership in fragile contexts and bridging short-term relief with long-term recovery efforts. The forum supported UN-led reform initiatives such as the Humanitarian Reset and UN80 to ensure responsiveness within the humanitarian system.
Additionally, there was a renewed commitment from the EU to address root causes of fragility through an integrated approach combining humanitarian efforts with development and peace initiatives by 2026.
