Africa's Lake Chad region will receive €138 million in EU humanitarian and development funding

The humanitarian crisis in the Africa’s Lake Chad basin, which affects parts of Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, continues to worsen due to prolonged violence, insecurity, and environmental degradation. To help the most vulnerable communities, the European Commission announced new funding of €138 million combining humanitarian and development assistance. This is part of an overall EU aid package for the region worth €232 million.

Speaking at the high-level conference on the Lake Chad Region in Berlin, Germany, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides said:

“The disastrous effects of armed conflict and violence in the Lake Chad basin have had a serious impact in an area already plagued by poverty and the extreme effects of climate change. The EU is committed to continue to help the most vulnerable. Today we are stepping up our humanitarian and development assistance. What is crucial is for all parties to the conflict to ensure full access throughout the region so our aid can reach those in need.”

“As the humanitarian situation remains pressing, we also need to help prepare the region to move from conflict to peace – and from fragility to resilience. Our new funding will invest in social services and tackle poverty, environmental degradation and the effects of climate change. We will also boost some of our existing programmes in North East Nigeria by strengthening girls’ education and reintegration efforts, as well as health and nutrition services,” said Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica.

The package is part of the EU’s strategy to improve the link between humanitarian and development support, with Nigeria and Chad being both pilot countries. Between 2014 and 2017, the EU provided close to €700 million in humanitarian aid and development assistance to the region.

Original source: European Commission
Published on 3 September 2018