The European Union has unveiled a humanitarian aid package totalling €201 million to support vulnerable populations in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Nigeria.

This announcement was made during the Senior Officials Meeting on the Sahel and Lake Chad, attended on Tuesday by EU Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič.

In a statement made available to journalists by the Head of Communication, EU to Nigeria, Modestus Chukwulaka, funding such as food security, malnutrition treatment, healthcare, protection, water, and sanitation, among others will provide critical assistance in areas.

The aid will be distributed as “Burkina Faso will receive €26.9 million; Cameroon €21 million; Chad €57.9 million; Mali €24 million; Mauritania €5.7 million; Niger €24.6 million; and Nigeria €31.5 million.

“Chad’s allocation includes €8.7 million in response to the consequences of the conflict in Sudan to the neighbouring countries and another €3.1 million to support an EU Humanitarian Air Bridge operation in the East, in addition to the initial €45.3 million announced by Commissioner Lenarčič during his visit to the country at the end of January 2024.

“While Mauritania’s includes the reinforcement of €3 million allocated in January 2024 in response to the increasing number of Malian refugees in Mauritania,” the statement read in part.

Lenarčič highlighted the severe impact of insecurity and violence in the Sahel and Lake Chad regions, which has led to over 35 million people requiring aid.

He emphasised the need for the international community to intensify efforts to bridge the growing gap between needs and available resources.

“Insecurity, violence, and over a decade of armed conflict is driving communities in the Sahel and Lake Chad regions to new depths of suffering. Today, over 35 million people across these regions need aid, while the humanitarian crisis is now spilling over into West Africa’s coastal countries.

“At the same time, we are facing an increasingly shrinking response capacity and humanitarian access. It is therefore crucial that the international community scales up its efforts to bridge the growing gap between human need and available resources.

“The EU is doing its part by increasing its pledge for 2024 to over 200 million euros across the two regions. I urge the rest of the international community to play its part,” He stated.