Abuja, Nigeria— The European Union (EU) has pledged an extra €250,000 (around ₦450 million) in humanitarian assistance to support thousands displaced by recent violent attacks in Benue and Plateau States.
The funds, provided via the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) managed by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), will enable the Nigerian Red Cross Society to deliver critical aid to approximately 2,500 households, benefiting an estimated 15,000 individuals.
Anouk Delafortrie, spokesperson for the EU’s Humanitarian Aid Office in West Africa, highlighted the urgency of the intervention, noting, “This new assistance aims to deliver urgent help to communities struggling with displacement, violence, and acute shortages.”
The aid will encompass emergency cash transfers, provision of essential household supplies, healthcare services, psychosocial support, and enhancements to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure.
Additionally, the funding will support protection initiatives and awareness campaigns focusing on hygiene and personal safety for affected populations.
The scale of displacement in the region is significant, with over 615,000 people displaced in Benue State and 65,000 in Plateau State as of July 2025. Most displaced persons are subsistence farmers who lost access to their farmland during the critical planting season, now residing in overcrowded camps or informal shelters facing severe shortages of food, clean water, and basic health services.
The EU statement acknowledged the worsening protection crisis caused by recurrent violence, emphasizing the trauma endured by these repeatedly displaced families.
This contribution builds upon a prior €500,000 aid package delivered in July 2025 to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for emergency efforts in Benue State, underscoring Europe’s ongoing humanitarian commitment in Nigeria.
Moreover, the European Commission funds an €8 million humanitarian delegation agreement with IFRC, enabling the EU to replenish the DREF for smaller-scale disasters requiring rapid response without formal international appeals.
“Our commitment remains firm—every human life matters. The EU continues to stand with Nigeria in addressing humanitarian needs and restoring dignity to the most vulnerable,” the announcement concluded.
As a collective, the EU and its Member States are the world’s largest contributors to humanitarian aid, with millions benefiting yearly through the EU’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO).
By Taiwo Olatinwo | August 8, 2025
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