By Majeed Salaam
The European Commission has announced a €235 million humanitarian aid package to support vulnerable populations across West and Central Africa amid worsening conflicts, food insecurity, and climate-related shocks.
According to the commission, the recent funding will target refugees, internally displaced persons, host communities, and populations in hard-to-reach areas where access to basic services remains limited. The intervention will provide assistance including 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 receive €33 million, with €22 million allocated to the Central African Republic and more than €16.6 million for Cameroon. Mauritania will receive €4.8 million, while over €6 million will be distributed among coastal West African countries. An additional €6.4 million has been set aside for regional programmes covering multiple countries.
The European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, said that the region is experiencing multiple and overlapping humanitarian crises driven by conflict, poverty, hunger, instability, and climate shocks. She referenced observations from a recent visit to Chad, where displaced families have lost homes and livelihoods due to violence.
She stated that humanitarian assistance remains critical for millions of people, providing immediate relief as well as access to essential services, including education for affected children. She also reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to supporting populations in crisis as part of its broader humanitarian efforts.
The humanitarian situation in West and Central Africa remains among the most complex globally, shaped by prolonged armed conflicts and further affected by climate change, governance challenges, demographic pressures, and competition over land and resources.
The Central Sahel and Lake Chad Basin continue to serve as key areas of instability, with violence extending into neighbouring coastal countries and contributing to displacement within and across borders. The ongoing crisis in Sudan has added pressure, particularly in eastern Chad, where an influx of refugees is affecting local systems.
Internal security challenges persist in several countries, including Nigeria, where insecurity continues to affect parts of the north. Cameroon’s North-West and South-West regions remain volatile, while the Central African Republic continues to experience instability despite ongoing peace efforts.
Humanitarian organisations have indicated that without sustained international support, populations across the region may face increasing food shortages and reduced access to essential services.
The European Commission stated that the funding forms part of the European Union’s ongoing humanitarian response and reflects its commitment to addressing the needs of regions experiencing prolonged and overlapping crises.
