The European Commission has announced €235 million in humanitarian assistance to support vulnerable populations across West and Central Africa, including €33 million earmarked for Nigeria.
The funding package is aimed at assisting people affected by conflicts, food insecurity, displacement, and climate-related shocks across the region. It will also support host communities and populations living in hard-to-reach areas.
According to the Commission, the allocation forms part of a broader humanitarian response to multiple overlapping crises affecting the region.
Out of the €235 million package, €75 million will be directed to the Central Sahel region, while over €16.6 million will go to Cameroon. Another €22 million will support humanitarian operations in the Central African Republic, while more than €72 million will be allocated to Chad.
Additional funding includes €4.8 million for Mauritania and over €6 million for coastal countries in the region. A further €6.4 million will be used for projects with a regional scope.
The Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management at the European Commission, Hadja Lahbib, said the region is facing an escalating humanitarian emergency driven by multiple crises.
“West and Central Africa are facing a storm of humanitarian crises, driven by conflict, poverty, hunger, instability, and climate shocks,” Lahbib said in a statement released on Wednesday.
She recalled witnessing the impact of displacement during a visit to Chad, where families had been forced to flee their homes due to conflict.
“For millions of people, humanitarian aid is not a choice. It is food on the table, clean water, medicine, shelter, and a chance for their children to learn again,” she said.
According to the Commission, humanitarian needs across West and Central Africa remain high due to a combination of conflict, climate change, and local governance challenges related to land access and demographic pressures.
The statement noted that the epicentre of many of the crises lies in the Central Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin, where ongoing conflicts have triggered large-scale displacement both within and across national borders.
The humanitarian situation has also been worsened by the impact of the ongoing crisis in Sudan, which has placed additional pressure on communities in eastern Chad.
Beyond these regional dynamics, the Commission highlighted continuing crises in North-West Nigeria, the North-West and South-West regions of Cameroon, and the Central African Republic.
Officials said the new funding will focus on providing essential services such as food assistance, clean water, healthcare, shelter, and education support for displaced children and vulnerable families.
