The European Union (EU) has announced a substantial humanitarian aid package of €201 million to assist vulnerable populations in several African nations. The aid aims to address pressing needs in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Nigeria.
During the Senior Officials Meeting on the Sahel and Lake Chad, EU Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, revealed the details of this significant aid package. Modestus Chukwulaka, Head of Communication for the EU in Nigeria, shared the specifics of how the funding would be allocated to provide crucial assistance in various areas such as food security, malnutrition treatment, healthcare, protection, water, and sanitation.
Lenarčič emphasized the urgent need for international support in light of the severe impact of insecurity and violence in the Sahel and Lake Chad regions. He stressed the gravity of the situation, stating, “Today, over 35 million people across these regions need aid, while the humanitarian crisis is now spilling over into West Africa’s coastal countries.”
The breakdown of the aid allocation is as follows:
- Burkina Faso: €26.9 million
- Cameroon: €21 million
- Chad: €57.9 million
- Mali: €24 million
- Mauritania: €5.7 million
- Niger: €24.6 million
- Nigeria: €31.5 million
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Chad’s allocation includes €8.7 million in response to the consequences of the conflict in Sudan, with additional funds for a humanitarian air bridge operation in the East. Lenarčič also reiterated previous commitments, stating, “in addition to the initial €45.3 million announced by Commissioner Lenarčič during his visit to the country at the end of January 2024.”
Furthermore, Mauritania’s allocation includes reinforcement of €3 million allocated earlier in response to the increasing number of Malian refugees.
Lenarčič urged the international community to step up efforts to address the growing gap between human need and available resources. He called on others to follow the EU’s lead, stating, “It is crucial that the international community scales up its efforts to bridge the growing gap between human need and available resources.”
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