European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen announced Saturday the bloc was releasing 710 million euros to help people hit by crises, natural disasters or conflict, most of it for Africa.

"Conflicts, extreme weather and rising living costs are disrupting the lives of many around the globe," von der Leyen said in a statement to the UN General Assembly.

"With today's package, we will support displaced communities across Africa -- as well as the communities welcoming them," she added.

The EU will put 380 million euros into Sub-Saharan Africa towards "protecting vulnerable migrants, supporting voluntary return and reintegration, strengthening migration governance, and responding to forced displacement", said the statement, which was made as part of anti-poverty advocacy organisation Global Citizen's 2026 campaign efforts.

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It has allocated 252 million euros from its emergency aid reserve towards helping communities hit by conflict, forced displacement, epidemics and natural catastrophes.

That includes sums for people in sub-Saharan Africa, the Palestinian territories, Lebanon and for Ukraine to prepare for the coming winter.

Smaller sums will go towards promoting stability in the crisis-hit Great Lakes region, and towards helping the Democratic Republic of Congo battle the Ebola outbreak in the east of the country.

(With newswires)