Stories

Over the past 4 decades, the constant conflict has vastly deteriorated Afghanistan’s ability to cope with the effects of climate change.

Conflict, crisis, COVID-19, cholera, and, as if things couldn’t possibly get worse, the strongest earthquake in a lifetime – there seems to be no end to the suffering of people in northern Syria.

Afghanistan is grappling with an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. In 2023, a staggering 28.3 million people – or two-thirds of Afghanistan’s population - require urgent humanitarian assistance to survive.

Since it was set up, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism has been responding quickly and collectively to emergencies and disasters.

When western Nepal was hit by floods in 2021, those most affected received cash grants distributed by the Nepal Red Cross Society.

War, power cuts, freezing temperatures: Ukrainians are going through one of the most arduous winters in recent history after Russian attacks have left millions without reliable access to electricity and heating.

A number where anyone anywhere can reach emergency services at all times of day and night seems evident since Europe adopted 112 as its emergency number in 1991. But that’s not the case everywhere.

The past 12 months have brought unprecedented humanitarian challenges.
The EU’s civil protection and humanitarian aid operations department has been working on helping the most vulnerable people worldwide.

25 August 2022 marks 5 years since a military crackdown in Myanmar forced hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims to flee their homes to reach Bangladesh.

On 6 February, a powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.8 struck the southeastern Anatolia Region of Türkiye, affecting 10 provinces in Türkiye and 6 governorates in Syria. Another powerful 7.5 quake struck the same day.

The EU helps refugees in Syria’s neighbouring countries, providing impartial aid to vulnerable people inside Syria through over 30 humanitarian partners.

In 2022, the EU and its Member States were among the leading donors of humanitarian aid in the world.

After 7 years of war, Yemen remains one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. The EU works with humanitarian partners to ensure aid is delivered to those who need it most.

In 2023, the EU and its Member States retained their position as one of the largest global humanitarian donors.

In the early hours of 6 June, an explosion destroyed a critical infrastructure in southern Ukraine – the Nova Kakhovka dam. This vast amount of water was unleashed downstream along the Dnipro river, flooding dozens of settlements.

The people of Gaza have struggled under a 16-year-long blockade. It is further aggravated by frequent shocks such as recurrent hostilities and air strikes, resulting in sudden severe humanitarian needs for many and increased vulnerability for all.

Volodymyr is a humanitarian worker who has been working for the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations in Kyiv since 2016.

From fleeing conflict to making a new start in his host country, Wajeeh faced the same challenge most refugees face – securing an income for his family.

Refugee women in Turkey reflect on the impact of COVID-19 on their lives, and how online mental health support has helped them through the pandemic.