The European Union has confirmed an initial humanitarian assistance package of €1.9bn for 2025, with €510m earmarked for Nigeria and other countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
The European Commission disclosed the allocation in a statement on Thursday, noting 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”
According to the EU, 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, adding 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.
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“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,” said Lahbib.
The statement further stated 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.
Ukraine, now in its third year of the war, will benefit from an allocation of €140m, with an additional €8m directed towards humanitarian projects in neighbouring Moldova.
Latin America and the Caribbean are set to receive €113m to address crisis in Venezuela, Colombia, Haiti, and other conflict zones.
Asia and the Pacific will receive €182m, targeting the Myanmar crisis, its impact on Bangladesh, and the situation in Afghanistan. Southern Africa, the Indian Ocean region, the Southern Caucasus, and Central Asia will share €40m.
“For Africa, a total of €510 million will support vulnerable people across the continent. Aid will be channeled in 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 statement noted.
The EU has also reserved €295m for emergency responses to unforeseen crises and €110m for innovative projects and capacity-building initiatives.
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.
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