The European Union has announced an additional €5 million in humanitarian aid to Nigeria, aimed at addressing critical food insecurity and displacement issues exacerbated by recent flooding.
The new funding, announced on Monday, August 26, 2024, brings the EU’s total humanitarian support for seven West African countries to €160.6 million for the year. This aid will target the severe humanitarian crises in Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Mauritania, and Gulf of Guinea coastal nations.
The regions affected are struggling with widespread food insecurity and displacement due to escalating political instability, ongoing conflicts, and persistent violence.
The EU stated that this funding will address the emergency needs of the most vulnerable populations, focusing on food assistance, nutrition, health, water, sanitation, shelter, and protection.
“In particular, the funding will be allocated to humanitarian partners working in Burkina Faso (€10 million), Mali (€8 million), Niger (€8 million), Mauritania (€1 million), Nigeria (€5 million), and the Gulf of Guinea countries (€3 million).
“This additional funding brings the total EU aid to these countries to €160.6 million this year,” the EU statement partly read.
EU data reveals that 10% of Mauritania’s population is currently facing food insecurity. In Nigeria, the volatile security situation in the Northeast and Northwest is causing new and ongoing forced displacements.
These regions require multi-sectoral support to address the growing humanitarian needs.
“The Northeast and Northwest regions of Nigeria are also experiencing a significant increase in the number of malnourished children, while the 2024 lean season is expected to be the most severe in the last seven years.
“The EU is one of the leading contributors of humanitarian aid in Nigeria. In 2023, the EU allocated €47.4 million in humanitarian aid.
“Since 2014, the EU has provided close to €482 million to help people in need in the country, including €31.5 million in 2024,” the statement partly read.
According to EU data, 7.9 million people in North-East Nigeria require humanitarian aid.
It stated that 4.8 million people in the Northeast could struggle to find enough food during the lean season (June-August 2024) without humanitarian assistance, which is 14% higher than in 2023.
