Europe steps up its humanitarian aid to Nigeria in the face of Boko Haram

(B2) 21 million euros have been released by the European Commission for " to help the populations of Nigeria and neighboring countries who are victims of violence committed by Boko Haram announced on Thursday (June 18) the European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid, Christos Stylianides, who is currently visiting Nigeria.

1,7 million displaced people

The conflict started with Boko Haram provoked the " displacement of more than 1,7 million people. Many of them live in precarious conditions in other parts of Nigeria and in neighboring countries where they have fled.. highlighted the commissioner.

A problem of access to populations

Stylianides expressed concern about access to victims. " Access is limited in many areas, especially along Lake Chad. We must do everything in our power to allow humanitarian organizations to be there to help the populations in need. The concern was shared in particular by the humanitarian organizations. The President of the ICRC, Peter Maurer, was moved by this during his visit to Brussels (read: Syria, an example of what goes wrong in a conflict (P. Maurer)).

123 million released in 2015

Of this envelope, €12,5 million will be used to meet humanitarian challenges (drinking water, food, shelter, health care and protection) in Nigeria and €8,5 million to help Nigerian refugees in Niger, Cameroon and Chad. . This new aid is in addition to the emergency aid already committed to help the most vulnerable populations hit by food insecurity and malnutrition in Nigeria and neighboring countries. More than €123 million in 2015 and €107 million in 2014 were released to help people in Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger.

(NGV)