The European Union has announced €150,000 in humanitarian aid to assist communities in Botswana severely impacted by recent flooding, the EU Delegation to Botswana said on Monday.
The funds will support the Botswana Red Cross Society (BRCS) in providing emergency relief to over 9,000 people across Gaborone, South-East, Kgatleng, and Ghanzi districts. The assistance package includes multi-purpose cash aid, food, shelter, clean water, health and sanitation services, as well as mental health and psychosocial support.
The five-month emergency project, which runs until the end of August 2025, will also help the BRCS develop an Early Action Protocol (EAP) for floods, aimed at boosting preparedness and response capacity for future disasters. The funding forms part of the EU’s broader contribution to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) managed by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
Botswana is still reeling from the aftermath of heavy rains and flash floods that struck between February 19 and 21, submerging farms, destroying homes and infrastructure, and disrupting transport networks. The floods claimed at least nine lives, displaced thousands, and temporarily shut down a South African border post and several schools. With La Niña weather patterns intensifying the crisis, the government has warned of continued rainfall and additional flooding. In response, a national disaster task force, including the BRCS, has been established to coordinate ongoing relief efforts.
The European Union, together with its Member States, is the world’s largest humanitarian donor, committed to saving lives and protecting communities affected by natural disasters and conflicts. Through its Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department, the EU supports millions of vulnerable people worldwide.
The EU is a key contributor to the IFRC’s DREF, backed by a €14.5 million agreement to replenish funds allocated for smaller-scale emergencies. The DREF, created in 1979, provides immediate financial assistance to National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies responding to crises that do not trigger a formal international appeal.