By Vincess Okushi
To address humanitarian needs arising from the floods ravaged region across the Sahel and Lake Chad, the European Union says it has committed an additional €5.4 million to provide immediate relief for victims.
The funding aims to respond to the millions of people facing the devastating aftermath of unprecedented flooding in Chad, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, Mali, and Burkina Faso as over 4.4 million lives shattered.
While Sympathizing with the devastating effect, the EU, on 23rd September 2024, said in a statement that entire communities have been submerged by the rising floodwaters, with homes, schools, hospitals, and essential infrastructure wiped out.
It Stresses that Water systems and sanitation facilities have collapsed, creating dire conditions ripe for the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera.
Noting that roads and agricultural lands are no more with hunger and homelessness.
EU humanitarian aid will focus on providing lifesaving support: food, shelter, clean water, and sanitation services in the hardest-hit areas.
The funds will be allocated as follows: €1 million to Chad, €1.35 million to Niger, €1.1 million to Nigeria, €1 million to Mali, €650,000 to Cameroon, and €300,000 to Burkina Faso.
This latest support adds to the €232 million in humanitarian assistance the EU has already provided to these nations in 2024.
The statement revealed that Janez Lenarčič, the EU Commissioner for Crisis Management, calls for urgency as the situation is deteriorating, with many countries recording severe rainfall, creating avenues for food shortages driven by conflict, insecurity, and inflation.
Excessive rains have wreaked havoc across the Sahel and Lake Chad regions, displacing millions and causing unimaginable suffering. We are doing everything in our power to bring relief to the most vulnerable populations.
With these floodwaters, millions of lives are at risk, prompting the EU’s emergency funds aimed at offering a lifeline to those in desperate need.
The Union is optimistic that international cooperation is paramount to averting further disaster in regions battling with numerous humanitarian challenges.