Policy Updates

On September 6, 2026, the far-right German AfD won the Saxony-Anhalt state election , securing 39 seats in the 83-member state legislature but falling three seats short of the absolute majority needed to govern alone.

The AfD, which Germany's domestic intelligence agency classified as "right-wing extremist," sought an outright majority to circumvent the so-called firewall, mainstream parties' longstanding refusal to enter into coalition with the party. AfD candidate for state governor Ulrich Siegmund stated the party would not pursue a minority government. Though the CDU, led by Friedrich Merz, does not appear to face an immediate threat, the election raises questions about its authority and the coalition’s ability to deliver its planned reforms.

The result reflects deep political and economic dissatisfaction in parts of Germany, extending beyond a regional outcome. Democratic parties, businesses, and CSOs face a growing challenge in responding to the shift. For international actors, the election signals a more difficult environment for defending international cooperation, development programs, and migration policies.

On September 1, 2026, the UK’s Africa Minister, Kirsty McNeill, announced 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.

On August 31, 2026, Sweden ended its embassy presence and bilateral development funding in Liberia after 65 years.

Though support will continue to flow through the EU, UN Women, and UNFPA, this will likely not offset the loss for women’s rights and health services.

This follows Sweden’s late 2025 announcement that it would cut development funding to Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Liberia, Tanzania, and Bolivia by SEK10 billion (US$1.1 billion), in order to redirect the funds to Ukraine.

On August 28, 2026, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand, and Secretary of State, 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.

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.

On August 26, 2026, nearly 140 Democratic lawmakers warned that US$7.5 billion in US international affairs funding, including more than US$3 billion for global health, could expire on September 30, 2026.

The lawmakers urged US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House budget chief Russell Vought to obligate the funding before the end of FY2026. The global health allocation included US$1.35 billion that the White House planned to use to close out USAID, while nearly US$1.9 billion from FY2025 remained unobligated.

The remaining funding included US$1.4 billion linked to terminated USAID awards, US$1.2 billion for development assistance, US$800 million for international organizations and UN peacekeeping, US$725 million for economic support funds and law enforcement, and US$100 million for USAID operating expenses. Unobligated funds would return to the US Treasury after September 30.

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.