Ken Okeke
| The European Commission is offering a €235 million humanitarian aid package to support vulnerable populations across West and Central Africa amid worsening conflicts, food crises and climate-related challenges. |
| This is intended to provide critical assistance to millions affected by displacement, insecurity and economic hardship, including host communities and populations in hard-to-reach areas. |
| In a statement by the Press and Information Officer, EU delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Modestus Chukwulaka the Commission, €75 million has been earmarked for the Central Sahel, while over €72 million will go to Chad. |
| Nigeria is set to receive €33 million, with additional allocations of €22 million for the Central African Republic, €16.6 million for Cameroon, €4.8 million for Mauritania, and more than €6 million for coastal countries. A further €6.4 million will fund regional humanitarian projects. |
| European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, said the region is grappling with multiple, overlapping crises that demand urgent international support. |
| “West and Central Africa is facing a storm of humanitarian crises, driven by conflict, poverty, hunger, instability, and climate shocks,” she said. |
| “For millions of people, humanitarian aid is not a choice. It is food on the table, clean water, medicine, shelter, and a chance for their children to learn again.” |
| Lahbib reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to supporting affected populations. |
| In Nigeria, persistent insecurity in the North-West has compounded humanitarian needs, leaving thousands displaced and in need of urgent assistance. |
| The European Commission noted that the funding aims to address immediate needs such as food, healthcare, water, shelter and education, while supporting resilience in affected communities. |