The Flemish Government has set up an emergency fund that will allow Red Cross Flanders to send humanitarian aid to disaster areas around the world faster.
Flemish Government and Flemish Red Cross sign new deal on funding for humanitarian aid
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500,000 euro has been allocated to the fund for 2026. The fund will help Red Cross Flanders finance between 2 and 4 emergency aid operations each year.
Red Cross Flanders’ Managing Director Philippe Vandekerckhove told journalists that “We are not the largest aid organisation, but in our areas of expertise, such as knowledge about blood and blood banks, we are among the best in the world. So we can have an impact.”
In the past the Flemish Government would provide funds to Red Cross Flanders on an ad hoc basis. For example, in late September the Flemish Government provided Red Cross Flanders with 100,000 euro to enable it to held the victims of an earthquake in Afghanistan in which more than 2,000 people.
The arrangements will mean that Red Cross Flanders will have access to funds from the Flemish Government within between 8 and 48 hours.
Speaking at a signing ceremony for the agreement the Flemish Prime Minster said that “Thanks to this agreement, the speed with which we can release funds to support life-saving aid operations will increase,” minister president Mathias Diependaele said at Wednesday’s signing ceremony.
Despite cuts made elsewhere in the Flemish budget, Mr Diependaele believes it is important to safeguard a budget for international emergency aid.
“It is a relatively modest amount, but Red Cross Flanders can make a difference in its areas of expertise. We have a responsibility towards vulnerable people around the world.”