The European Commission said on Thursday that it is providing N4.7 billion in aid to affected by the activities of Boko Haram insurgents. This is contained in a statement issued by the European Union (EU) Secretariat in Abuja.
“The new EU funding will provide immediate support, including clean water, food, shelter, healthcare and protection to the displaced and the host communities in the north-east of Nigeria. “It will also provide support to Nigerian refugees in the neighbouring countries.
“€12.5 million of this funding will be used to tackle the humanitarian challenges in Nigeria, and €8.5 million to support the refugees in Niger, Cameroon and Chad. “This new aid comes on top of relief that the Commission is providing to the most vulnerable people affected by food insecurity and malnutrition throughout Nigeria and its neighbouring countries,” it said.
It said the EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Christos Stylianides, was in Nigeria to assess the humanitarian consequences of the Boko Haram terror activities. The statement said Stylianides would meet with displaced persons and relief organisations and discuss how EU aid could be put to the best use in spite of the difficult circumstances.
Stylianides would hold meetings with government representatives and civil society organisations. The statement quoted Stylianides as expressing his grave concern over the lack of access to the victims who needed help.
“More than 1.7 million people have been displaced by the terror of Boko Haram. “Many of them live in precarious conditions in other parts of Nigeria or the neighbouring countries where they have fled. “We are stepping up our humanitarian response to the call of those in the greatest need,” it quoted Stylianides as saying. (NAN)
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