The European Commission has pledged €41 million in humanitarian aid for the Southern Africa and Indian Ocean region in 2025, aiming to address a range of pressing issues from natural disasters to ongoing conflicts. This crucial funding comes as the region grapples with severe climatic events and escalating violence, impacting millions of vulnerable people across the region.
Mozambique to Receive €17 Million in Aid
Mozambique, one of the countries hardest hit by the recent tropical cyclones and ongoing conflict, will receive €17 million of the total funding. A significant portion of this allocation will support the country’s response to the devastating consequences of Cyclones Chido, Dikeledi, and Jude, which struck the northern parts of the country between December 2024 and March 2025. These cyclones affected over 1.4 million people, exacerbating the country’s vulnerability to food insecurity and displacement.
In addition to the emergency funding, the European Union has dispatched 60 tonnes of aid from its Nairobi warehouse, including essential shelter materials, household items, and water and sanitation supplies to assist those most impacted by Cyclone Chido.
Madagascar and Regional Support
Madagascar will receive €7 million, primarily focused on providing access to food, emergency education, and nutritional services in the worst-affected regions of the Grand Sud and Grand Sud-Est. The country continues to battle a combination of acute and chronic humanitarian needs, with high levels of malnutrition, mortality, and disease, compounded by food insecurity and economic stagnation.
The European Union has also committed €16 million for regional and multi-country programs, which will aim to keep children in school, reduce gender-based violence, and enhance the response to epidemics in Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean region.
Addressing Cholera in Angola
A further €1 million has been earmarked for Angola to assist in combating the ongoing cholera outbreak, which continues to put lives at risk in the region. The support will bolster efforts to contain and mitigate the spread of the disease, providing essential medical supplies and interventions.
A Region Facing Complex Challenges
The Southern Africa and Indian Ocean region, composed of 14 countries, remains highly vulnerable to a combination of natural hazards, disease outbreaks, and human-induced disasters like armed conflict and violence. In 2024, the region experienced an El Niño-induced drought that led to severe food insecurity, affecting more than 30 million people. Six countries—Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe—declared states of emergency due to the drought.
The humanitarian needs are acute. In Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, nearly 1.3 million people are displaced by violence, while food insecurity continues to escalate across the region. In Madagascar, 1.9 million people face acute food insecurity, with approximately 360,000 children under the age of five at risk of acute malnutrition.
A Commitment to Disaster Preparedness and Humanitarian Response
In addition to direct humanitarian assistance, the EU’s funding for 2025 includes €10 million to strengthen disaster preparedness across the region. This includes enhancing logistics capabilities, improving local and national response capacities, and ensuring that vulnerable communities are better prepared for future natural disasters.
The EU’s humanitarian assistance also supports the continuation of education in emergencies, with a focus on providing safe learning spaces and ensuring that children in conflict- and disaster-affected areas have access to education.
Conclusion
The European Union’s €41 million humanitarian aid package for 2025 is a vital step in addressing the multifaceted challenges facing the Southern Africa and Indian Ocean region. With extreme weather events becoming more frequent due to climate change, and ongoing conflict exacerbating the situation, this funding will help save lives, provide essential services, and support communities as they recover and rebuild.
