Raphael Oni
Nigeria’s North-West region and other parts of Africa are set to benefit from a €557 million humanitarian aid package, as the European Union (EU) announced an initial €1.9 billion humanitarian budget for 2026.
The funding, which excludes a separate €14.6 million allocated to North Africa, was disclosed by the European Commission on Wednesday. It comes at a time when 239 million people worldwide require assistance, and major donors are scaling back contributions.
European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, said the EU’s commitment seeks to mobilize private sector finance and innovative solutions to complement public funding. “The humanitarian system is under unprecedented strain, and public funding alone will not meet the scale of the crisis. Europe is taking action, committing an initial €1.9 billion for 2026,” she said.
The aid will deliver emergency food, shelter, healthcare, protection for vulnerable groups, and education for children in crisis zones. Of the total, €557 million is earmarked for West and Central Africa, including the Sahel, Lake Chad Basin, North-West Nigeria, Central Africa, Southern Africa, the Great Lakes, and the Greater Horn of Africa.
Other allocations include €448 million for the Middle East, €145 million for Ukraine and Moldova, €126 million for Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran, €95 million for Central and South America, €73 million for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, and €14.6 million for North Africa. More than €415 million will be reserved for sudden-onset emergencies and strategic supply chains.
Lahbib, who is in Davos to engage private sector leaders on new financing models, stressed that Europe’s leadership as the world’s largest humanitarian donor remains firm. “This is a test of solidarity, and Europe is rising to the challenge,” she added.
