European Union Allocates €81 Million in Humanitarian Aid for Eastern DRC

Kinshasa, February 17, 2026 - The European Union (EU) has announced the release of €81.2 million in emergency humanitarian aid to support vulnerable populations affected by the escalating conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The funding aims to assist displaced communities, address resource scarcity, and provide essential services to Congolese refugees in neighboring countries and fragile communities in Burundi. The announcement coincides with a visit to the region by European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, who is assessing urgent humanitarian needs on the ground. “The objective is to secure the opening of safe corridors to provide relief to hundreds of thousands of people, including those in areas controlled by armed groups,” Lahbib said, emphasizing the need for safe humanitarian access. The conflict in eastern DRC has resulted in severe shortages of food and water, inadequate shelter, and increased vulnerability of women and children to violence and exploitation. Commissioner Lahbib’s visit itinerary includes: Kinshasa, DRC - initial assessments and meetings with key stakeholders Burundi (February 18-19) - including a planned visit to the Busuma refugee camp, where conditions are particularly dire, with insufficient water, food, and shelter Kigali, Rwanda (February 20) - to conclude the regional mission The EU’s intervention underscores the importance of coordinated humanitarian efforts in response to the ongoing crisis in the Great Lakes region.