EU to increase humanitarian aid amid pandemic

The European Union will expand its annual budget for the provision of humanitarian aid to third countries by 60%, allocating 1.4 billion euros in 2021, Report informs with reference to the European Commission.

"We are seeing an increase in global humanitarian needs amid the pandemic. The EU is the world's largest humanitarian aid donor and intends to expand its budget for these needs by 60% in 2021, bringing it to 1.4 billion euros, the commission said in a statement.

The bulk of aid, precisely 505 million euros, will go to African countries. Meanwhile, 385 million euros will be allocated for the Middle East and Turkey, primarily for Syrian refugees' needs. Ukraine, the Western Balkans, and the Transcaucasian states will receive 28 million euros.