Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri
The European Union (EU) has pledged 102.5 million euros (N4.72 billion) humanitarian aid to the four countries in the Lake Chad region.
The region affected by the 13-year conflict comprises Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria.
The countries in a joint statement released, yesterday (Tuesday), in Niamey, Niger disclosed that; “The EU made the pledges at our 3rd high-level conference on the Lake Chad region.”
According to the statement, the conference is a critical international political forum convened with a view to facilitating regional, cross-border consensus around the required adjustments.
It explained that intervention adjustments; are to deal with the prevailing multi-faceted challenges in the conflict affected countries.
On the location of the region, the statement said: “The member-countries in the region are located far west of Chad and the northeast of Nigeria.”
“It also extends to Niger and Cameroon,” lamenting that it’s the world’s most protracted conflict and crisis environment.
“The funding will help vulnerable communities in the four countries in view of the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the region.”
It explained that the humanitarian will address the violence in the four affected countries in the region.
According to the affected countries, their civilian population is increasingly becoming the victim of targeted attacks.
Besides, it added that he increasing attacks have resulted in large-scale displacement of persons, disruption of livelihoods, and the lack of access to basic services.
“The EU funding is specifically responding to the most acute food needs of households and communities affected by conflict,” it said, adding that the aid is treating severe acute malnutrition (SAM) among children under five.
They countries noted that the EU funding could strengthen disaster preparedness, including the warning systems and climate resilience actions.
The EU Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, in the statement disclosed that over 24 million people in the region need humanitarian aid, which increased by 9.5% over that of 2022.
He said: “This funding will provide the much-needed support to vulnerable communities impacted by conflict, displacement, and increasing food insecurity.
“As the region faces an unprecedented food crisis, we will continue to monitor the situation and react with additional funding if necessary.”
In a breakdown of the funding, he said: “The 102.5 million euros, are to be disbursed in 2023 as follows: Nigeria (€34 million); Niger (€25 million); Chad (€26.5 million); and Cameroon (€17 million).
He said the funding is part of the total €181.5 million allocated this year for the Lake Chad Basin, the Central African Republic and the Sahel, as announced last week.
In 2022, the EU provided about €189.5 million to support humanitarian interventions in the four countries in the region.
End.
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