With the provision of 300 million euros, the Federal Foreign Office is responding to the calls of the United Nations and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement for global humanitarian assistance. These funds will make possible global relief measures in countries already facing a humanitarian crisis. 

"The coronavirus knows no borders. It hits those who are most at risk, because they live in war zones or refugee camps, or in states whose health systems are buckling under the onslaught of the pandemic," said Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas.

Focus on humanitarian health assistance

With this aid, the German government aims to help combat the pandemic on a lasting basis, and prevent new waves of infections. The funds are to go to bodies including the World Food Programme, international non-governmental organisations, UNHCR, the World Health Organization, UNICEF and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. In particular, the German government is thus supporting humanitarian assistance in the health sector and in the field of water supply and sanitation.