In response to the growing humanitarian needs brought on by extensive flooding and a spike in Cholera cases, the European Union (EU) has allocated a fresh €1 million in emergency humanitarian funding to boost relief efforts in Nigeria. The funding is intended to help communities that have been negatively affected by these dual crises, which have worsened the nation’s already-existing vulnerabilities. Of this, €500,000 is dedicated to providing basic necessities, including food, shelter, water, sanitation, and hygiene services to flood-affected states including Anambra, Delta, and Kogi.
More than 1.3 million people have been affected by these floods, which have also seriously damaged homes and ruined crops. The remaining €500,000 will be used to cater for cholera response activities in northern states like Borno and Yobe, where the disease is highly prevalent due to contaminated water and inadequate sanitation. With this funding, cholera treatment facilities will be established, vaccination campaigns will be started, and healthcare systems will be strengthened. This latest funding brings the EU’s total humanitarian support to Nigeria this year to over €37.7 million.
Contribution to humanitarian operations had become regular.
Janez Lenarčič, the EU Crisis Management Commissioner, has stressed the need for quick action to lessen the effects of the crisis. He stated that the EU is committed to supporting humanitarian partners on the ground and stands in solidarity with those affected. The fund will be distributed through humanitarian groups that are already operating in Nigeria, guaranteeing prompt and efficient aid to the most disadvantaged groups. These initiatives are in line with the EU’s larger goal of tackling the underlying causes of Nigerian crises, such as issues related to climate change, inadequate infrastructure, and weaknesses in the country’s health system.
Over the years, the European Union has regularly contributed to humanitarian operations in Nigeria by giving significant financial support to solve a number of crises. Alongside a few other West African nations in terrible humanitarian situations, Nigeria received €5 million from the EU in August, prior to the recent announcement of an additional €1 million to tackle the impact of floods and the cholera outbreak. The EU has become one of the biggest donors to Nigeria with funding allotted for humanitarian aid reaching €37.7 million in 2024 and €47.4 million in 2023.
Food insecurity and the needs of IDPs are catered for.
This support focused on a number of pressing issues, such as food security, health care, education, and safeguarding vulnerable groups, especially in northeastern regions devastated by violence. Food Insecurity and the fundamental needs of the nation’s most vulnerable internally displaced individuals and host communities are addressed by a portion of European Union humanitarian funds. The EU also provides aid to refugees in other nations impacted by the Nigerian crisis. Currently, it provides ready-to-use therapeutic food, vital medications to treat extremely malnourished children, and food aid in the form of cash transfers, vouchers, and food rations for families in Nigeria.
Also, the European Union funds are allocated to opposite community-based services considering the unique protection needs of women and children that emerge in conflict circumstances. It also supports initiatives that provide Basic Education and necessary school supplies to children trapped in humanitarian crises. In Nigeria’s disaster-prone regions, the EU is funding preparedness efforts to lessen the effects of recurrent natural disasters like floods and diseases and enable vulnerable people to better prepare for them. These initiatives give communities vital information about risks and preventative measures.
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Nigerian government has welcomed the EU’s support, while also urging more international partners to increase their contributions. Given the severity of the situation, more than 60,000 cholera cases recorded this year, millions of people impacted by several flooding cases across the country, 7.9 million people in North-East Nigeria require humanitarian aid, and 1.1 million people forcefully displaced, urgent and coordinated action is required. For the impacted communities, the extra financing, intended to cushion the effects, provides a glimmer of hope.