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| European Union |
Nigeria and other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have received €510 million from the European Union (EU) Commission.
The amount is part of the €1.9 billion budgeted for humanitarian assistance in 2025.
The bloc announced this in a statement issued by Hadja Lahbib, the EU Commissioner for Equality and Crisis Management.
The statement was signed by Modestus Chukwulaka, press and information officer for the EU Delegation in Nigeria and ECOWAS, and distributed to journalists in Abuja.
Ms. Lahbib stated that the funds would be distributed throughout 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.
She added that an additional €470 million in funding is earmarked for the Middle East and North Africa, with a particular focus on delivering aid to Gaza and Yemen.
.The EU remains a leading global humanitarian aid donor, with more than 300 million people expected to require assistance in 2025.
The European Union announced on Thursday an initial humanitarian budget of €1.9 billion for 2025.
“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.
“At the same time, I reiterate my call for safe and unimpeded access to people in need: funding is not enough – we need to be able to reach the most vulnerable.
“And for this, there is an urgent need for all parties to respect International Humanitarian Law,” Ms Lahbib said.
According to the statement, the EU's humanitarian aid will be distributed as follows: Mideast and North Africa €375 million will be allocated to the Middle East.
The humanitarian situation remains critical and fragile, particularly in Gaza.
The region has undergone significant changes in recent months, particularly following the recent developments in Syria.
North Africa and Yemen will receive €95 million, which will help to address complex political, economic, and social challenges.
For Ukraine, now in its third year of war, the initial allocation is €140 million. An additional €8 million is allocated to humanitarian projects in neighbouring Moldova.
A total of €510 million will be allocated to vulnerable people throughout Africa. Aid will be distributed throughout 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.
An initial €113 million will be allocated to Latin America and the Caribbean to address the domestic and regional impact of the Venezuelan crisis, as well as the needs of the most vulnerable people affected by Colombia's armed conflicts.
Other issues include the complex crisis in Haiti, as well as violence in Central America, Mexico, and Ecuador.
In Asia and the Pacific, approximately €182 million will be allocated to humanitarian assistance, primarily for the Myanmar crisis and its impact in Bangladesh, as well as the Afghan crisis.
Furthermore, €35 million is allocated to Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean region, with €5 million going to the southern Caucasus and Central Asia.
More than €295 million in additional emergency funding has been set aside for global actions addressing sudden-onset emergencies and unforeseen humanitarian crises that may occur this year.
Over €110 million will be allocated to horizontal activities, such as innovative projects and policy initiatives, such as multi-year programmatic partnerships and increased response capacity.
(NAN)