The European Commission has announced a €235 million humanitarian aid package to address the deepening crises in West and Central Africa, where conflict, hunger, displacement, and climate shocks continue to devastate millions of lives.
The funding will target the region’s most vulnerable populations, including those affected by armed conflicts, food insecurity, forced displacement, and lack of access to essential services. A significant portion – €75 million – has been allocated to the Central Sahel, considered the epicentre of the region’s instability.
Other allocations include more than €72 million for Chad, €33 million for Nigeria, €22 million for the Central African Republic, €16.6 million for Cameroon, €4.8 million for Mauritania, and over €6 million for coastal countries. An additional €6.4 million will support region-wide humanitarian initiatives.
Announcing the intervention, Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, described the situation as a convergence of multiple emergencies.
“West and Central Africa are facing a storm of humanitarian crises, driven by conflict, poverty, hunger, instability, and climate shocks,” she said, recalling her encounters with displaced families during a visit to Chad.
According to Lahbib, the aid will provide critical relief, including food, clean water, healthcare, shelter, and education for children whose lives have been disrupted by violence and displacement.
The region’s humanitarian situation remains dire, with conflicts in the Central Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin intensifying instability in coastal nations and triggering widespread displacement. The ongoing crisis in Sudan has further strained resources in eastern Chad, while separate emergencies persist in north-western Nigeria, parts of Cameroon, and the Central African Republic.
The European Union reiterated its commitment to being a reliable humanitarian partner, emphasizing that the intervention is designed not only to save lives but also to restore dignity and hope for affected communities.
