Emergencies

On 28 February 2022, just days after the first Russian offensive on Ukrainian soil, Fondation de France launched an appeal for solidarity to provide emergency assistance to affected populations. Four years on, in the face of an ongoing war and humanitarian crisis, Fondation de France remains committed to supporting those impacted by the fighting, whether displaced within the country or seeking refuge in neighbouring states. Since 2023, Fondation de France has strengthened its collaboration with fifteen key partners working on the ground to address the most urgent needs. Over the past four years, €17 million has already been allocated to support 197 initiatives.

Sophie Lasserre, Head of the Emergency Programmes Unit at Fondation de France, reflects on the situation in Ukraine and the priorities of Fondation de France’s Ukraine Solidarity initiative.

On 6 February 2023, southern Turkey and northern Syria were struck by two earthquakes of unprecedented magnitude, causing more than 50,000 deaths and leaving hundreds of thousands injured and homeless. As soon as the disaster was announced, Fondation de France, already present in the region for several years, launched an appeal for solidarity to provide emergency assistance to affected populations. €11 million of the €13.8 million raised has been devoted to the deployment of 108 initiatives in the affected territories.

Karine Meaux, Head of Fondation de France’s Emergencies department, looks at the current situation in Mayotte and Fondation de France’s priorities in the hard-hit territory.

On 14 December 2024, Cyclone Chido hit Mayotte, killing and injuring hundreds of people and causing unprecedented damage. To help the people affected by the disaster, Fondation de France launched an appeal for donations which raised €44.4 million. €19 million has already been allocated to support 238 initiatives throughout Mayotte. One year on, Fondation de France remains mobilised alongside local associations and structures to meet the still immense needs.

Two years after Azerbaijan’s military offensive against Nagorno-Karabakh, which forced around 100,000 people to flee to Armenia, Fondation de France continues to stand with displaced and vulnerable populations. More than €580,000 have been dedicated to supporting around ten local nonprofit initiatives.

The impact of Cyclone Chido highlighted the major difficulties in the health system. Interview with Sophie Lasserre, head of health and mental health at Fondation de France's Emergency unit.

Nine months after Cyclone Chido struck on 14 December last year, the archipelago of Mayotte is still struggling to recover. As the new school year begins, the priority is to ensure that children have decent learning conditions.

On 8 September 2023, an earthquake of an unprecedented scale struck Morocco, killing more than 3,000 people and leaving tens of thousands homeless. Two years later, the Fondation de France remains committed to helping the disaster victims, particularly the most vulnerable. The donation appeal helped raise €11.4 million. The Fondation de France has already allocated more than €5.9 million to 66 initiatives throughout the disaster-stricken region of Morocco.

On September 8, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the leading public financial institution for international solidarity, and Fondation de France signed a third partnership agreement, extending a collaboration that began in 2018.