The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to allocate a total of more than €900,000 to international organisations to support the mitigation of humanitarian crises and to strengthen development cooperation in 2026–2027.
The largest share of the funding will be directed to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), including for alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and promoting the digitalisation of humanitarian aid. In addition, Estonia will support the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), helping to ensure that rapid and effective assistance reaches crisis areas.
“More than 240 million people worldwide are in urgent need of life-saving humanitarian assistance this year, and armed conflicts are becoming increasingly violent and prolonged for civilians,” Foreign Minister Tsahkna said. “Violence, hunger, disease and displacement are turning people’s lives upside down from Ukraine to Sudan and from Afghanistan to the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”
Funding will also be allocated to support Ukraine through the multi-donor programme Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine, which aims to strengthen the country’s resilience. In addition, Estonia will contribute to alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, which is one of the most severe humanitarian crises in recent history.
The provision of humanitarian aid is increasingly hindered by restricted access to those in need, often blocked by armed groups and states operating in conflict areas. To help address this challenge, Estonia supports UN humanitarian diplomacy, which focuses on negotiations to ensure that aid reaches those in need. Estonia also supports reform of the UN humanitarian system to make it more effective and flexible, including through the digitalisation of humanitarian aid systems.
In addition, Estonia participates in the activities of the World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), including its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund. The allocations also support international crisis response capacity, including the work of the UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team, as well as analysis and policy development in development cooperation.
“With this funding, Estonia reaffirms its continued commitment to international solidarity, the principles of humanitarian assistance and the rules-based international order,” Tsahkna said.
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