Connect with us

News

EU Sets Aside €557m for West and Central Africa as Part of €1.9bn Humanitarian Budget for 2026

Published

on

EU Sets Aside €557m for West and Central Africa as Part of €1.9bn Humanitarian Budget for 2026

By: Michael Mike

The European Union has announced a €557 million humanitarian aid package for West and Central Africa, with Nigeria’s North-West region identified as a key focus area, as part of its initial €1.9 billion humanitarian budget for 2026.

The allocation, unveiled on Wednesday by the European Commission, comes amid growing global humanitarian pressures, with an estimated 239 million people currently in need of assistance worldwide and several major donors reducing their funding commitments.

According to the Commission, the €557 million will support vulnerable populations across West and Central Africa, including the Sahel, the Lake Chad Basin, North-West Nigeria, Central and Southern Africa, the Great Lakes region and the Greater Horn of Africa. The funding is intended to provide life-saving assistance such as emergency food, shelter, healthcare services, protection for at-risk groups and educational support for children affected by crises.

Beyond Africa, the EU has earmarked €448 million for the Middle East, particularly Gaza, following last year’s fragile ceasefire, as well as Iraq, Yemen, Syria and Lebanon. Humanitarian needs in Ukraine will receive €145 million as Russia’s invasion enters its fourth year, alongside an additional €8 million for projects in Moldova.

Other regional allocations include €126 million for Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran; €95 million for Central and South America and the Caribbean; €73 million for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, with emphasis on the Myanmar crisis and its spillover into Bangladesh; and €14.6 million for North Africa. In addition, more than €415 million has been set aside to respond to sudden emergencies globally and to maintain a strategic humanitarian supply chain.

European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, said the EU’s decision reflects its resolve to sustain humanitarian action despite mounting challenges to international aid and humanitarian law.

“The humanitarian system is under unprecedented strain, and public funding alone will not meet the scale of the crisis,” Lahbib said. “Europe is taking responsibility by committing an initial €1.9 billion for 2026 and leading the global response.”

As part of efforts to bridge the widening gap between humanitarian needs and available resources, Lahbib is in Davos this week to engage business leaders and investors on how private sector innovation and financing can complement public aid. She is also expected to co-host an event with the World Economic Forum on 22 January focusing on new partnerships in aid and development.

The EU and its Member States remain the world’s largest humanitarian aid donors, having provided assistance in more than 110 countries since 1992 through partnerships with non-governmental organisations, United Nations agencies and other international bodies. Humanitarian responses are coordinated through the European Emergency Response Coordination Centre, which operates around the clock to support countries affected by major disasters.

The Commission reaffirmed that its humanitarian assistance would continue to be guided by humanitarian principles, ensuring aid reaches those most in need, regardless of location.

EU Sets Aside €557m for West and Central Africa as Part of €1.9bn Humanitarian Budget for 2026

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Troops arrest terrorist kingpin, ammunition courier, logistics supplier in Kaduna

Published

on

Troops arrest terrorist kingpin, ammunition courier, logistics supplier in Kaduna

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY), have arrested a suspected terrorist kingpin, intercepted an ammunition courier and apprehended a suspected terrorist logistics supplier in separate intelligence-led operations across Kaduna State.

The operations, conducted on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, targeted terrorist hideouts, supply routes and support networks in Kubau, Igabi and Birnin Gwari Local Government Areas of the state.

In the early hours of the day, troops of Sector 1 conducted a clearance operation at Dabar Dabo, identified as a known terrorist hideout in Kubau LGA.

During the operation, the troops arrested a suspected terrorist kingpin and two other members of his syndicate at the hideout.

The three suspects were taken into military custody for further investigation and intelligence exploitation.

In a separate operation on the same day, troops of Sector 1, acting on credible intelligence concerning the movement of ammunition, arrested a 50-year-old woman suspected of serving as an ammunition courier in Igabi LGA.

The suspect was allegedly found in possession of 300 rounds of ammunition concealed inside a bag.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect had travelled from Zamfara State to Lafia, where she allegedly received the ammunition for onward delivery to terrorist elements operating around Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State.

The suspect and recovered ammunition have been secured in military custody as investigations continue to establish her network and intended recipients.

Later the same day, troops of Sector 1, working with a community vigilante group, apprehended another suspected terrorist logistics supplier in Birnin Gwari LGA.

During preliminary interrogation and a search of the suspect, troops recovered four communication devices suspected to have been used in connection with terrorist activities.

The suspect and recovered devices were also taken into military custody for further investigation.

The series of operations highlights the growing focus of Operation FANSAN YAMMA on dismantling the support structures that sustain terrorist groups, including their command networks, ammunition couriers, communication channels and logistics suppliers.

The successful interception of the ammunition consignment also represents a significant disruption to the movement of military-grade supplies into terrorist operating areas in Kaduna State.

Operation FANSAN YAMMA has continued to intensify intelligence-led operations across the North-West to disrupt terrorist networks, deny criminal elements freedom of action and prevent the movement of arms, ammunition and other logistics across the Joint Operations Area.

The Joint Task Force has also acknowledged the support of members of the public and urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements and activities to the nearest security agency.

Troops arrest terrorist kingpin, ammunition courier, logistics supplier in Kaduna

Continue Reading

News

U.S. Air Force C-17 delivers military equipment to Nigerian Air Force under FMS agreement

Published

on

U.S. Air Force C-17 delivers military equipment to Nigerian Air Force under FMS agreement

By Zagazola Makama

A United States Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft has delivered military equipment to the Nigerian Air Force as part of an ongoing foreign military sales agreement between the two countries.

The development was announced on Thursday by the official X handle of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), which described the delivery as a demonstration of the growing security partnership between the United States and Nigeria.

AFRICOM said the equipment was delivered over the weekend and would support Nigeria’s efforts to counter terrorism and other security threats in the region.

“Partnership in action,” AFRICOM said, noting that the equipment formed part of a foreign military sales agreement designed to further the U.S.-Nigeria defence partnership.

The command said the delivery would aid Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts, particularly as the country continues to confront persistent threats from terrorist and insurgent groups.

The latest delivery comes amid increasing security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, with both countries strengthening collaboration in intelligence, training, equipment and other areas aimed at improving Nigeria’s capacity to tackle terrorism.

The use of a U.S. Air Force C-17 for the delivery also underscores the logistical component of the bilateral defence relationship, enabling the movement of military equipment directly in support of Nigeria’s operational requirements.

Nigeria has continued to seek enhanced international partnerships as its armed forces sustain operations against terrorist and criminal networks across the North-East, North-West and other conflict-affected parts of the country.

AFRICOM’s announcement signals continued U.S. support for Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen its military capabilities and confront terrorism, while reinforcing Washington’s broader security partnership with Abuja.

U.S. Air Force C-17 delivers military equipment to Nigerian Air Force under FMS agreement

Continue Reading

News

Troops engage suspected local militias, soldier wounded during clearance operation in Plateau

Published

on

Troops engage suspected local militias, soldier wounded during clearance operation in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 8, Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP), have engaged suspected local militia elements in a fierce firefight during a clearance operation at Kogul Village in Muko District, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The operation, conducted between Sept. 8 and 9, followed reports of arson, destruction of farmlands and the expulsion of residents from the community.

During the operation, the troops established contact with the suspected militias and engaged them in a fierce firefight, forcing the criminals to withdraw into the forest.

A soldier, Pte. Husseini Ibrahim, sustained a gunshot wound to his right leg during the encounter and was evacuated to General Hospital, Mangu, for medical attention.

Troops subsequently exploited the general area in an effort to locate and arrest the fleeing criminals and recover their weapons.

However, no further contact was established before the troops returned to base, while operations to track the fleeing suspects remain ongoing.

Troops engage suspected local militias, soldier wounded during clearance operation in Plateau

Continue Reading

Trending

Verified by MonsterInsights