The European Union (EU) has announced an initial humanitarian assistance package of €1.9 billion for 2025, with €510m earmarked for Nigeria and other countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
The European Commission said in a statement on Thursday that “these funds are set to be channelled across West and Central Africa, the Sahel, the Lake Chad basin, North-West Nigeria, Central Africa, the Great Lakes region and the Greater Horn of Africa”.
The EU noted that the assistance will help tackle the escalating humanitarian crises expected to affect over 300 million people worldwide in 2025.
EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness, and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, emphasised the importance of ensuring safe and unimpeded access to vulnerable populations and that funding alone is insufficient without adherence to international humanitarian law.
“With more than 300 million people needing humanitarian assistance in 2025, the EU is upholding its commitment to help those most in need as a leading humanitarian aid donor.
“Our humanitarian aid funding will support our partners on the ground – the UN family, the Red Cross/Red Crescent family, international and local government and non-governmental organisations – to provide life-saving, emergency assistance where needed,” Lahbib said.
The statement added that the Middle East and North Africa will receive €470m, with €375m focused on the Middle East, particularly Gaza, while €95m is allocated to North Africa and Yemen.
“With more than 300 million people needing humanitarian assistance in 2025, the EU is upholding its commitment to help those most in need as a leading humanitarian aid donor.
“Our humanitarian aid funding will support our partners on the ground – the UN family, the Red Cross/Red Crescent family, international and local government and non-governmental organisations – to provide life-saving, emergency assistance where needed,” Lahbib added,
Since 1992, the European Commission has provided humanitarian assistance in over 110 countries, delivering aid through partnerships with UN agencies, the Red Cross/Red Crescent, and international and local organizations.
GIK/APA