Policy Updates

The UK’s Africa Minister Kirsty McNeill announced on September 1, 2026, more than GBP50 million (US$68.1 million) in additional funding to contain Ebola in the DRC, bringing the UK’s total contribution to GBP78 million (US$106.2 million).

The package supports disease surveillance, frontline health workers, infection prevention and control, treatment access, community engagement, and safe and dignified burials. The funding is aimed to save lives, support affected communities, and reduce the risk of international spread as the outbreak continued amid conflict, displacement, and severe humanitarian needs.

Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand and Secretary of State (International Development) Randeep Sarai announced CAD5 million (US$3.6 million) in humanitarian assistance for emergency relief following severe flash floods and landslides along the Nepal-China border on August 28, 2026.

The funding supported emergency food, shelter, water, sanitation, and health services through UN, Red Cross, and Canadian NGO partners. Canada also offered to deploy relief supplies from its emergency stockpiles through the Canadian Red Cross if requested.

Global Affairs Canada deployed five consular officials to Kathmandu to coordinate with local authorities, partners, and Canada’s Honorary Consul in Kathmandu. Officials worked to contact Canadians and their families and remained ready to assist Canadians in affected areas.

On August 26, 2026, Canada announced more than CAD2 million (US$1.46 million) in humanitarian assistance for communities affected by Colombia’s August 10 earthquake.

Secretary of State (International Development) Randeep Sarai announced the funding, which included CAD1.4 million (US$1.02 million) for the World Food Programme’s emergency food assistance and logistics services. Canadian Lutheran World Relief received CAD350,000 (US$252,000) through the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund to provide emergency shelter kits and water, sanitation, and hygiene services. The Canadian Red Cross allocated CAD250,000 (US$183,000) through its Emergency Disaster Assistance Fund to support the Colombian Red Cross’ relief operations. An additional CAD50,000 (US$37,000) through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives supported emergency housing, food, and hygiene kits.

The new funding followed almost CAD8.5 million (US$6.2 million) in humanitarian assistance that Canada allocated to Colombia earlier in 2026. Canada also reported reallocating existing resources for emergency supplies, technical assistance, care services, psychosocial support, and protection for women and girls.

Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced on August 23, 2026, that Norway would provide NOK85 billion (US$9.2 billion) to Ukraine in FY2027 for military and humanitarian spending, matching its 2026 commitment.

Støre made the announcement during a visit to Kyiv with leaders from Nordic and Baltic countries, who demonstrated support for Ukraine amid Russia’s war. He said Norway viewed support for Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction as an investment in Europe’s security.

On August 20, 2026, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Reem Alabali Radovan announced Germany’s EUR100 million (US$116 million) contribution to ECW, which aimed through Hope Starts Here to mobilize US$600 million over four years to provide safe, quality education to 10 million children and adolescents affected by crises.

Alabali Radovan said education expanded opportunities, dignity, and life prospects, and that cooperation among governments and partners could reach millions more children. Germany remains ECW’s largest donor, while the contribution reinforces the country’s commitment to education during crises through the BMZ.

On August 19, 2026, Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares highlighted Spain’s humanitarian commitment as AECID increased its budget by 115%, from EUR66 million (US$77 million) in 2021 to EUR140 million (US$164 million) in 2025, supporting 131 interventions in 2025 and 72 in 2026, including earthquake responses in Venezuela and Colombia.

Spain’s total humanitarian budget reached EUR226 million (US$264 million) in 2025, 24% above 2024. Decentralized cooperation contributed EUR44 million (US$51 million), while AECID mobilized EUR140 million (US$164 million), including EUR122 million (US$143 million) managed by its Directorate for Humanitarian Action.

AECID strengthened its operational capacity after adopting a new statute that upgraded its Humanitarian Action Office to directorate level. A cooperation agreement also brought together 15 autonomous communities and the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces. In 2026, Spain and the Spanish Red Cross assumed co-chairmanship of the Donor Advisory Group of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

In 2025, the directorate allocated EUR95 million (US$111 million), or 77.7% of its funding, across seven priority contexts, including Palestine, Ukraine, Lebanon, the Sahel, and Afghanistan. AECID also allocated EUR17 million (US$20 million) to emergency responses and nearly EUR30 million (US$35 million) to food security programs, mainly through the World Food Programme.

On August 17, 2026, Norway reported NOK30 billion (US$3.3 billion) in 2025 climate financing, more than quadrupling annual funding from NOK7 billion (US$770 million) in 2020 and meeting its 2021 pledge to double climate financing and at least triple adaptation support by 2026.

Norway’s Minister for International Development Åsmund Aukrust attributed the increase mainly to private capital mobilized through the Climate Investment Fund, managed by Norfund. Mobilization reached NOK16 billion (US$1.8 billion) in 2025, an 181% increase from 2024. Aukrust cautioned that annual mobilization could decline in 2026 because investment levels vary.

Norwegian financing supported renewable energy, rainforest protection, and measures to strengthen resilience to floods, droughts, and other climate-related disasters. Norfund CEO Erik Sandersen said combining public funds with private investment could increase the climate impact of each krone spent.

Norway provided NOK3 billion (US$333 million) for climate adaptation in 2025, a 5% increase from 2024. The government plans to announce a new climate-financing target before the end of 2026. Developing countries are estimated to need US$2.5 trillion annually by 2030 for emissions reductions and climate adaptation.

Norad Director General Gunn Jorid Roset said Norway will provide NOK400 million (US$42.8 million) to support mine clearance and explosive-remnants-of-war assistance in Ukraine.

Norwegian funding will also finance rehabilitation, psychosocial support, and social reintegration for mine survivors, alongside risk education, community awareness raising, and national advocacy and coordination

Norway said mine clearance would help people move safely and resume agricultural production as the war continued. Approximately 20% of Ukraine’s land area is expected to remain contaminated by mines and explosives in the coming years.

On August 17, 2026, Germany presented its complete draft federal budget for 2027, allocating EUR9.5 billion (US$11.0 billion) to BMZ, EUR587 million (US$681 million) 6% below 2026, while federal debt is projected to reach EUR1 trillion (US$1.2 trillion) by 2030.

The draft budget projects BMZ funding will fall to EUR9.2 billion (US$10.7 billion) by 2030, with a further 3% cut in 2028. Nevertheless, Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said Germany will remain a reliable development partner. Meanwhile, the BMFTR budget has increased 1% to EUR21.9 billion (US$25.4 billion) in 2027, while the BMG global-health budget has fallen 7% to EUR106 million (US$123 million). However, the AA budget for humanitarian assistance and crisis prevention rose 0.2% to EUR1.1 billion (US$1.3 billion).

Moreover, Germany has budgeted EUR16.2 million (US$19 million) for GPEI, EUR26.2 million (US$30 million) for UNFPA, EUR13.6 million (US$16 million) for IPPF, and EUR22.5 million (US$26 million) for GFF. Germany remains on track to honor its commitments to GFATM, Gavi, and CEPI. Germany’s IDA21 remains at EUR1.5 billion (US$1.7 billion) overall while annual disbursements are set to fluctuate.

Parliamentary debates are scheduled to begin in September, with the Budget Committee expected to conclude negotiations on November 12.

On August 10, 2026, Italy authorized EUR1.5 million (US$2 million) in emergency assistance and EUR3 million (US$3 million) in recovery projects for communities affected by the earthquake in Colombia.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani instructed Deputy Minister Edmondo Cirielli to authorize the initial humanitarian package. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the World Food Programme (WFP), and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) were expected to implement the multilateral initiatives. Italy also considered delivering humanitarian assistance through the UN logistics network.

The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation planned to implement additional projects with civil society organizations. The projects aimed to strengthen community resilience and support socioeconomic recovery, based on local needs and priorities identified with Colombian authorities and international partners.

Tajani also recognized the work of the International Italo-Latin American Organization, which facilitated the delivery of satellite imagery from the European Union’s Copernicus Programme to Colombian authorities. The imagery supported damage assessments and monitoring of the affected area.