EU Allocates €35 Million in Humanitarian Aid to South Sudan Amidst Worsening Crisis

EU Boosts Humanitarian Response in South Sudan

The European Commission has announced a significant humanitarian aid package of €35 million for South Sudan. This allocation is part of a broader €143 million funding initiative aimed at reinforcing humanitarian operations across several crisis-affected regions in Sub-Saharan Africa. The announcement was made on November 24, 2025, as EU and African Union leaders convened in Angola to address pressing regional challenges.

The emergency funding is designated to support essential services such as food assistance, water and sanitation, and access to healthcare, helping the most vulnerable communities meet their basic needs.

Broader African Aid Package Addresses Multiple Crises

The total €143 million humanitarian aid package underscores the European Union's commitment to regions facing severe pressure from conflict, displacement, and declining access to basic services. Beyond South Sudan, the funding is distributed among several other African nations and regions. Specific allocations include €2.5 million for the Central African Republic, €8 million for Nigeria, €30 million each for Ethiopia and Somalia, and €38 million for the Central Sahel countries, which encompass Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.

Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, emphasized the EU's unwavering support, stating, 'The EU is stepping up at a moment when global attention is shifting and humanitarian needs remain high. This funding shows that we stay engaged in the places where pressure is rising and support is essential. We will keep holding the line alongside the partners who are working under the heaviest strain.'

Dire Humanitarian Situation in South Sudan

South Sudan continues to grapple with a severe and complex humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by years of conflict, intercommunal violence, food insecurity, and the impacts of climate change. An estimated 9 million people, representing approximately three-quarters of the country's population, were projected to require humanitarian assistance in 2024.

The food security situation remains particularly dire, with approximately 7.1 million people expected to face acute food insecurity during the lean season between April and July 2024. Furthermore, the ongoing conflict in neighboring Sudan has led to a significant influx of over 900,000 refugees and returnees into South Sudan by late 2024, placing additional strain on already stretched resources and services. The country also faced a cholera epidemic in late 2024, for which the EU provided a separate emergency funding of €1 million.

EU's Continued Commitment and Partnerships

The European Union remains one of the leading global donors of humanitarian aid in Africa. The assistance funded by the EU is delivered through established partnerships with UN agencies, international organizations, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), ensuring that aid reaches those most in need on the ground.

The humanitarian challenges in South Sudan are compounded by limited access to remote locations, attacks on aid workers, and insufficient funding levels, making the delivery of life-saving assistance particularly difficult. This latest funding package reaffirms the EU's sustained commitment to alleviating suffering and supporting vulnerable populations in South Sudan and across the African continent.