TheCable

The European Commission (EU) on Thursday announced a €143m support package for the “early recovery and reconstruction needs” in north-east due to its worsening humanitarian crisis.

Neven Mimica, commissioner for international cooperation and development, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja by Modestus Chukwulaka, the EU communication officer in Nigeria.

Mimica noted that Nigeria was one of four countries across the globe experiencing or at risk of famine in 2017, along with Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen.

He said the package combined short-term EU humanitarian aid with long-term development support.

He said it is to help “those that had been devastated by the terror campaign of Boko Haram”.

He added that this reflects the commission’s “strategic approach to resilience”.

“Our support package of 143 million euros will assist approximately 1.3 million internally displaced people and affected communities in and around the Borno state in Nigeria,” the statement read.

“Our assistance will not only target the immediate needs of the people but, it will also help to restore basic services, stimulate employment and create livelihood opportunities, particularly for women and young people.”

The statement also quoted Christos Stylianides, commissioner for humanitarian aid and crisis management, as saying the EU is committed to getting “lifesaving aid” to Nigerians in need.

“Emergency aid can help them but to do so aid organisations need safe and full access to do their job. We also need to think about the long term affects and how to help communities recover,” it further read.

“I have visited the country several times and seen the suffering caused by the victims of terrorism but also the strength and determination of the local people to rebuild their lives. It is this desire to rebuild a better future that the EU will support.”

According to him, this brings the total EU support for the crisis in Borno to 224.5 million euros for 2017, following earlier announcements of 81.5 million euros in humanitarian aid.

“EU support will provide immediate humanitarian assistance for the most vulnerable populations affected by the ongoing emergency situation, as well as for early recovery and restoration of basic services,” he further said.

“These include health, nutrition, education, water access, sanitation and hygiene, solar power, in areas of return or resettlement.

“The commission would also provide social protection, stimulate employment and livelihood opportunities, with a special focus on women, young people and vulnerable households.”