Brussels: The European Commission has announced a significant increase in its humanitarian aid budget, allocating an additional EUR 83 million to address the escalating humanitarian needs in the Middle East, specifically targeting the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, north-east Syria, and Lebanon. This decision comes as a response to the rapidly worsening conditions in these regions.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the European Commission revealed in a press release that EUR 50 million of the additional funding is earmarked for Gaza and the West Bank. This brings the European Union's total humanitarian aid to these areas to EUR 170 million for the year 2025. The funding is intended to bolster humanitarian partners' efforts to provide essential aid to civilians caught in the ongoing crisis.
Additionally, EUR 20 million has been allocated to support humanitarian operations in north-east Syria. This allocation raises the EU's total humanitarian assistance to Syria in 2025 to EUR 202.5 million. The funding is focused on addressing basic needs, including food and healthcare, for populations severely affected by ongoing conflicts.
In Lebanon, the Commission has designated an extra EUR 13 million in humanitarian funding. This aid targets the most vulnerable groups, particularly Syrian refugees and Lebanese communities enduring the impacts of conflict. The support aims to alleviate deteriorating living conditions and maintain stability in regions facing fragile conditions.
The European Commission emphasized that this increased funding is part of the EU's continued efforts to tackle humanitarian crises in the Middle East, especially in light of the increasing security and socio-economic challenges in conflict-ridden areas.