Finland grants EUR 8 million in humanitarian assistance for food insecurity and winter relief in Ukraine

In the remainder of 2026, Finland will grant a total of EUR 8 million in humanitarian assistance to address crises in Ukraine, South Sudan, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region. As a result, Finland’s total humanitarian funding so far in 2026 amounts to approximately EUR 124 million, broadly in line with the average level of the previous two years.

Finland’s priority in providing life-saving humanitarian assistance is to help persons in the most vulnerable situations.

From this allocation, Finland grants EUR 2 million in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. EUR 1 million will be channelled through the World Food Programme (WFP), which works with local partners to deliver food kits and other supplies to frontline areas. The remaining EUR 1 million will be channelled through the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to assist internally displaced and evacuated people in particular. Both organisations also offer assistance in preparing for the coming winter. Russia’s escalating attacks have made the situation of civilians in Ukraine increasingly difficult.

Finland is also channelling humanitarian assistance to support food security and strengthen preparedness for the impacts of the El Niño climate phenomenon, particularly in Africa. Finland grants EUR 2 million through the WFP to South Sudan, where drought is already increasing food insecurity. The WFP provides food aid in South Sudan and supports the nutrition of vulnerable people. EUR 2 million is channelled through UNHCR to the Horn of Africa and Great Lakes region, where El Niño is expected to exacerbate drought and flooding. UNHCR provides emergency assistance and protection to people displaced in the region.

Finland grants EUR 1 million through the WFP to respond to the humanitarian crisis and support food security in Afghanistan. Assistance will be channelled to the most vulnerable people, such as women, children and persons with disabilities.

An additional EUR 1 million in humanitarian disaster relief is granted to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) that supports global preparedness for humanitarian impacts caused by El Niño. The rising price of food and escalation of conflicts are expected to further increase humanitarian needs.