Ola Akinwunmi
In a significant move, the European Union has announced an initial humanitarian assistance package worth €1.9 billion for 2025, with a substantial €510 million allocated to Nigeria and other countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
The funds will be channeled across various regions, including 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. This assistance aims to 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, underscored the importance of ensuring safe and unimpeded access to vulnerable populations. Lahbib emphasized that funding alone is insufficient without adherence to international humanitarian law, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach to address the humanitarian crises.
In a statement, Lahbib said, “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 organizations – to provide life-saving, emergency assistance where needed,” Lahbib added.
The statement further noted that the Middle East and North Africa will receive €470 million, with €375 million focused on the Middle East, particularly Gaza, while €95 million is allocated to North Africa and Yemen.
This significant allocation demonstrates the EU’s commitment to providing humanitarian aid to those most in need, with a focus on supporting vulnerable populations across sub-Saharan Africa.