The European Commission has announced a €235 million humanitarian aid package aimed at supporting millions of vulnerable people across West and Central Africa, as the region battles worsening conflicts, food insecurity, and climate-related shocks.
- +EU unveils €235m humanitarian aid for crisis-hit West, Central Africa
The Commission said the funding would target those most affected by violence and displacement, including refugees, internally displaced persons, host communities, and populations in hard-to-reach areas where access to basic services remains limited.
The Commission said the funding would target those most affected by violence and displacement, including refugees, internally displaced persons, host communities, and populations in hard-to-reach areas where access to basic services remains limited.
According to the EU, the intervention would provide critical assistance such as food, healthcare, clean water, shelter, and education support for children affected by crises.
A breakdown of the allocation shows that €75 million will be directed to the Central Sahel, while Chad will receive over €72 million.
Nigeria is set to benefit from €33 million, with €22 million earmarked for the Central African Republic and more than €16.6 million for Cameroon.
Mauritania will receive €4.8 million, while over €6 million will go to coastal West African countries.
An additional €6.4 million has been set aside for regional programmes cutting across multiple countries.
Hadja Lahbib, EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, described the situation in the region as a convergence of multiple humanitarian emergencies driven by conflict, poverty, hunger, instability, and climate shocks.
She recalled witnessing the devastating impact of the crisis during a recent visit to Chad, where families displaced by violence had lost their homes and livelihoods.
“Humanitarian assistance remains a lifeline for millions, providing not just immediate relief but also a chance for affected children to return to learning and rebuild their futures”, she said.
Lahbib reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to standing with people in crisis as a dependable humanitarian partner focused on saving lives and alleviating suffering.
The humanitarian situation in West and Central Africa remains among the most complex globally, shaped largely by protracted armed conflicts and further exacerbated by climate change, governance challenges, demographic pressures, and competition over land and resources.
The Central Sahel and Lake Chad Basin continue to serve as epicentres of instability, with violence spilling into neighbouring coastal countries and triggering widespread displacement within and across borders.
The ongoing crisis in Sudan has added another layer of strain, particularly in eastern Chad, where an influx of refugees is placing pressure on already fragile systems.
At the same time, internal crises persist in several countries, including Nigeria, where insecurity continues to affect communities in parts of the north.
Cameroon’s North-West and South-West regions also remain volatile, while the Central African Republic continues to grapple with instability despite intermittent peace efforts.
Humanitarian organisations have warned that without sustained international support, millions of people across the region could face worsening food shortages and limited access to essential services.
The European Commission said its latest funding underscores the European Union’s continued commitment to responding to global humanitarian needs, particularly in regions facing overlapping and protracted crises.
