New EU funding will help vulnerable communities in Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon The humanitarian crisis in the Africa's Lake Chad basin, affecting 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 Commission has today 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 today at the High Level Conference on the Lake Chad Region in Berlin, 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.
Source: European Commission
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