The European Commission adopted its plan for the allocation of over €661 million in humanitarian aid funding for 2013. The largest portion of aid will go to sub-Saharan Africa that will receive €344.5 million. Moreover, part of the budget is dedicated to forgotten crises – populations that receive little media attention.

The plan for the allocation of humanitarian aid funding for 2013 was adopted by the European Commission. With over €661 million the Commission plans to fund humanitarian interventions run by more than 200 of its partner organisations in nearly 80 countries or regions. The Commission proposed 640€ million in humanitarian aid during 2012.

The largest portion of aid will go to sub-Saharan Africa to which €344.5 million, representing 52% of the Commission's pre-programmed humanitarian funding, is targeted. Also, the five largest humanitarian operations will be in the Sahel region of West Africa, including further response to the conflict in Mali (€82 million), Sudan and South Sudan (€80 million), the Democratic Republic of Congo (€54 million), Pakistan (€42 million) and Somalia (€40 million).

On the other hand, the Commission announced that as in previous years part of the budget is dedicated to forgotten crises– populations that receive little media attention and for whom the Commission is often the only major donor. In addition to the €661 million that the Commission has allocated to the most intractable humanitarian problems around the globe, reserve resources are available during the year for unpredictable crises and disasters.