The European Commission has announced €148 million in new funding for Ukraine. The package will be used to provide life-saving support and essential aid to the most vulnerable populations in both Ukraine and Moldova and brings the total of humanitarian aid allocated by the European Commission so far to over €1.1 billion. 

Of the new package, €140 million is allocated for humanitarian projects in Ukraine. This is targeted towards emergency assistance, including food, shelter, clean water, healthcare, and winter protection. The most heavily war impacted regions in eastern and southern Ukraine will be given priority. On top of this, €8 million is allocated for humanitarian projects in Moldova. Support will focus on aiding Ukrainian refugees and Moldovan host communities, prioritising cash assistance, access to critical services like healthcare and education, and psychosocial support.

Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Preparedness, Crisis Management and Equality, visited Ukraine to reinforce the EU's ongoing efforts of providing critical assistance. She met with key Ukrainian leaders, including President Volodymyr Zelensky and senior officials, to discuss urgent humanitarian challenges and the strategic allocation of EU aid. She also met with beneficiaries of EU humanitarian aid and local partners.

Hadja Lahbib, said: "As Russia continues its cruelty in the dead of winter, the EU is intensifying its support to keep the lights on and homes warm. Our new funding of €148 million in humanitarian support is more powerful proof that we stand with Ukrainians in their hour of need. We will continue to do everything in our power to help those affected by this crisis with all our partners and the Ukrainian authorities. This war is a threat to all of us. We must stand together at this critical moment for Europe."

The EU has been providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine since 2014, addressing the needs of vulnerable communities in the country. Following Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, the EU significantly scaled up its response to tackle the unprecedented humanitarian challenges caused by the war. The EU has been coordinating its largest ever operation under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, facilitating the delivery of over 150,000 tonnes of in-kind assistance to Ukraine. Additionally, the EU has mobilized resources from its rescEU stockpiles, providing critical aid such as power generators, medical supplies, temporary shelters, and water treatment stations. So far, €1.1 billion has been allocated, of which €1.09 billion for humanitarian programmes within Ukraine and €84 million to support refugees who have fled to neighbouring Moldova.

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