The European Union has released 128 million euros in humanitarian assistance to Africa’s Lake Chad region and Cameroon to help the fight against violence, insecurity and environmental degradation. To help the most vulnerable communities, the Commission has announced new funding that combined development and humanitarian assistance. The new funding comes as part of overall EU aid package for the region worth 232 million euros.
Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianidis specifically drew attention to the disastrous effects of armed conflict and violence in the region and its impact on climate change and people who are already plagued by poverty. He also called on all parties to “ensure full access throughout the region so our aid can reach those in need,” adding that “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.”
Therefore, the EU’s new funding invests in social services to alleviate poverty and programs to mitigate environmental degradation and the effects of climate chance. Education and reintegration efforts are also targeted. The new tranche of funding is part of the EU’s strategy to better connect development and humanitarian efforts and Nigeria and Chad are the pilot countries for this initiative. In 2014-2017, the EU provided almost 700 million euros in humanitarian aid and development assistance to the region. The 128-million package will be distributed among Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and part of the money was announced in July 2018 to be provided to the Sahel countries.
