In a clear display of global humanitarian leadership, the European Union has earmarked €557 million in humanitarian assistance for Nigeria and other African nations as part of its initial €1.9 billion humanitarian budget for 2026. The announcement was made by Hadja Lahbib, the European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Wednesday. This funding commitment comes at a time when urgent needs across Africa and beyond are mounting, even as major international donors trim their support.
The €557 million allocation will support vulnerable populations across West and Central Africa, the Sahel, the Lake Chad Basin, North-West Nigeria, Central and Southern Africa, the Great Lakes region and the Greater Horn of Africa. A separate €14.6 million has been set aside for North Africa, reflecting the region’s complex political, economic and social challenges. The European Commission emphasised that this targeted support is part of a principled, needs-based approach to humanitarian aid.
Commissioner Lahbib underscored the Europe’s role as the world’s largest humanitarian donor, highlighting that the scale of global crises today places enormous strain on the international humanitarian system. “The humanitarian system is under unprecedented strain, and public funding alone will not meet the scale of the crisis,” she said, stressing that Europe was taking political responsibility by committing significant resources early in the year.
The focus on North-West Nigeria reflects the sustained and deepening humanitarian needs in a country beset by insecurity, displacement and food insecurity. Across Nigeria, millions have been affected by armed conflict, climate shocks and economic instability, resulting in widespread displacement, acute malnutrition and limited access to basic services. Although the EU’s allocation does not break down the precise sums for each country or region, Nigeria’s crisis-hit north remains among the priority areas for assistance under this funding envelope.
The broader €1.9 billion package allocates humanitarian funds across multiple regions grappling with severe crises. Beyond Africa, the Middle East is set to receive €448 million, with particular attention to Gaza, as the fragile ceasefire continues to shape humanitarian needs, as well as to conflict-affected countries such as Iraq, Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon. Meanwhile, Ukraine will receive €145 million as the war with Russia enters its fourth year, along with an additional €8 million for humanitarian projects in Moldova. Other allocations include €126 million for Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran, €95 million for Central and South America and the Caribbean, and €73 million for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, particularly to address the fallout from the Myanmar crisis. Over €415 million has also been reserved to tackle sudden-onset emergencies worldwide and to maintain a strategic humanitarian supply chain.
In Davos, Lahbib has been engaging business leaders and investors to explore how private sector innovation, financing and partnerships can help bridge the widening gap between humanitarian needs and available resources. She is co-hosting an event with the World Economic Forum on “New Alliances in Aid and Development,” aimed at mobilising new funding models and scaling impact alongside traditional public aid.
The EU’s announcement arrives against a backdrop of shrinking donor contributions globally. International agencies estimate that millions of people worldwide are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance, and funding gaps threaten to leave vulnerable communities without life-saving support. Critical needs remain in food security, shelter, healthcare, protection for at-risk groups and education for children affected by displacement and conflict.
With this commitment, the EU is signalling its intention to sustain and lead global humanitarian efforts, even as the global landscape grows more complex and resource-strained. By directing funds to some of the world’s most pressing crises and actively seeking broader partnerships, the bloc intends to ensure that assistance reaches those in dire need, wherever they are.
