The European Union has disbursed €500,000 (about ₦886 million) in emergency aid to support thousands of people displaced by recent violent attacks in Benue State, Nigeria.
The funds, released in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), will provide urgent relief over the next six months, focusing on critical sectors such as shelter, water, sanitation, hygiene, protection, and direct cash assistance.
A fresh wave of violence in June 2025 forced nearly 23,000 people—many already previously displaced—to flee their homes again.
Camps are now overwhelmed, with families facing dire living conditions, including a lack of shelter, clean water, and sanitation facilities. Vulnerable groups like women, children, and persons with disabilities face heightened protection risks.
Benue State has been caught in the grip of a prolonged humanitarian crisis since 2018, with over 1.5 million displaced and more than 6,900 lives lost in the last two years alone.
The EU’s intervention comes as the crisis deepens, with over 400,000 people newly displaced in 2024 and 2025.
Meanwhile, the European Union is the world’s largest humanitarian donor. Through its civil protection and humanitarian aid arm, the EU delivers lifesaving assistance globally based solely on need and aimed at preserving dignity, safety, and survival.
