ABUJA, Nigeria (July 24, 2025) — The European Union has allocated €500,000 (approximately ₦886 million) in humanitarian assistance to support thousands of people displaced by escalating violence in Benue State, Nigerian and EU officials announced Thursday.
The funding will be implemented over the next six months in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and will focus on shelter, protection, water and sanitation, and multi-purpose cash assistance for displaced families.
“This funding is a lifeline for people who have already lost everything, often more than once,” said an EU official involved in the humanitarian program. “Our priority is to provide immediate, life-saving support to the most vulnerable.”
Nearly 23,000 people were forced to flee their homes in June alone following a wave of attacks in Benue, many of them already displaced in earlier waves of violence. Aid groups report severe overcrowding in displacement camps, with families sleeping in the open and lacking access to clean water and sanitation.
“The situation on the ground is dire,” said a field worker with IOM, who requested anonymity due to security concerns. “Women, children, and people with disabilities face especially high risks. Without urgent intervention, this could spiral further out of control.”
Benue State has been gripped by conflict since 2018, driven by a complex mix of armed violence, resource disputes, and communal tensions. More than 1.5 million people have been displaced over the last seven years. The surge in violence in 2024 and 2025 alone has killed an estimated 6,900 people and displaced over 400,000.
EU officials say the latest support reflects Europe’s continued commitment to humanitarian principles.
“Emergency aid is a reflection of our solidarity with people in need,” the EU said in a statement. “Our goal is to save lives, alleviate human suffering, and preserve dignity—no matter where the crisis occurs.”
Through the European Commission’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, the EU remains the world’s largest donor of humanitarian assistance, reaching millions affected by conflict and disaster every year.
Local authorities in Benue have repeatedly called for stronger federal and international response to the crisis, as displacement continues to stretch fragile infrastructure and social services.
“This is not just a Benue problem — it’s a national emergency,” said a senior official from the Benue State Emergency Management Agency. “We welcome the EU’s support and urge other partners to step forward.”
The EU’s aid announcement comes amid growing concern that without sustained support and security improvements, the humanitarian situation could deteriorate further in the months ahead.
Editor: Gabriel Ani
