Nigeria to Get $27m Part of $536m United States Humanitarian Aid Package

Eromosele Abiodun

The United States Mission in the country has announced that Nigeria will receive $27 million as part of a broader $536 million humanitarian aid package directed towards Sub-Saharan Africa by the U.S. Government.

The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, in a statement explained that it is part of ongoing efforts by the United States to provide life-saving support to vulnerable populations and host communities across the continent.

Mills further explained the significance of the aid, saying, “This assistance will make a real difference in the lives of those most in need in Nigeria and across the continent.”

He stated that the U.S.’s commitment to aiding Nigeria in tackling humanitarian challenges, including food insecurity and the impacts of climate change.

The statement explained that the comprehensive aid package was officially unveiled by Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Uzra Zeya, bringing the total U.S. humanitarian assistance to Sub-Saharan Africa for Fiscal Year 2024 to nearly $3.7 billion.

The funds, according to the statement, are earmarked to address the critical needs of vulnerable individuals in the region, including refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, and other conflict-affected populations.

It stated that it would focus on crises in the Sahel, among other areas, and support efforts to build durable solutions such as voluntary returns and refugee integration.

The statement further explained that the $27 million allocated to Nigeria would be distributed through the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration and USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance.

Mills reaffirmed the U.S.’s solidarity with Nigeria, stating that they stand with Nigeria in its efforts to provide for vulnerable populations and build resilience against food insecurity and climate change impacts.