European Commission announces € 148 million in new humanitarian funding to Ukraine and Moldova
European Commission has announced € 148 million in new funding to provide life-saving support and ensure critical aid reaches the most vulnerable populations in Ukraine and neighbouring Moldova.
With this, the European Union’s (E.U.’s) total humanitarian aid will reach over €1.1 billion since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. As Russia’s war of aggression continues to devastate Ukraine, approximately 12.7 million people are in need of urgent assistance.
Taking it to X, the President of the European Commission – Ursula von der Leyen tweeted,
More EU humanitarian aid is coming for Ukraine in this tough wintertime.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) January 13, 2025
So that our Ukrainian friends can keep warm.
We also help keep the economy running so the country can focus on its fight for survival. https://t.co/RJg5x7QKC8
Of the total funds, € 140 million will be allocated for humanitarian projects in Ukraine and € 8 million for Moldova. In Ukraine, the funding will be directed towards emergency assistance, including food, shelter, clean water, healthcare, and winter protection. Key priorities are supporting vulnerable populations in the heavily war-impacted regions of Eastern and Southern Ukraine. In Moldova, the funds will be used to focus on aiding Ukrainian refugees and Moldovan host communities, prioritising cash assistance, access to critical services like healthcare and education and psychosocial support.
The E.U. Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management – Hadja Lahbib, is presently in Ukraine to reinforce the E.U.’s ongoing commitment to humanitarian efforts. During her trip, she will meet the President of Ukraine – Volodymyr Zelenskyy and senior officials to discuss pressing humanitarian challenges and the strategic allocation of E.U. aid. She will also meet with beneficiaries of E.U. humanitarian aid and local partners.
Lahbib tweeted,
Stepping up, scaling up, hurrying up.
— Hadja Lahbib (@hadjalahbib) January 13, 2025
With €148 million in new humanitarian aid for Ukraine, we are bringing life-saving support to people & helping to rebuild communities.
In their hour of need, the EU stands resolutely with the people of Ukraine.https://t.co/vc7l328YIb
Before arriving in Kyiv, she visited the E.U. Medevac hub in Rzeszów, Poland, which assists the Civil Protection Mechanism with medical evacuations of critically ill patients from Ukraine and neighbouring countries. As of now, around 4,000 patients have been transferred to European hospitals for treatment since the system was set up in March 2022.
The E.U. has been offering humanitarian aid to Ukraine since 2014, with efforts significantly ramped up following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. The E.U. aims to alleviate the suffering caused by the war while addressing Russia’s violations of international humanitarian law.
In addition to its humanitarian aid operations, the E.U. has been coordinating its largest-ever operation under the E.U. Civil Protection Mechanism by delivering more than 150,000 tonnes of in-kind assistance to Ukraine, such as ambulances, fire engines, medicines, shelter supplies, power generators, and much more. The E.U. has also deployed its own rescEU emergency stockpiles to send power generators, medical equipment, temporary shelter, and specialised equipment for public health risks such as chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.
