EU unlocks 710 mn euros' aid for crisis-hit communities

"Conflicts, extreme weather and rising living costs are disrupting the lives of many around the globe," von der Leyen said in a statement to the UN General Assembly.

"With today's package, we will support displaced communities across Africa -- as well as the communities welcoming them," she added.

The EU will put 380 million euros into Sub-Saharan Africa towards "protecting vulnerable migrants, supporting voluntary return and reintegration, strengthening migration governance, and responding to forced displacement", said the statement, which was made as part of anti-poverty advocacy organisation Global Citizen's 2026 campaign efforts.

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It has allocated 252 million euros from its emergency aid reserve towards helping communities hit by conflict, forced displacement, epidemics and natural catastrophes.

That includes sums for people in sub-Saharan Africa, the Palestinian territories, Lebanon and for Ukraine to prepare for the coming winter.

Smaller sums will go towards promoting stability in the crisis-hit Great Lakes region, and towards helping the Democratic Republic of Congo battle the Ebola outbreak in the east of the country.

(With newswires)