The Commission has announced €282.5 million in EU humanitarian aid to address the needs of the most vulnerable people in Chad, Sudan, and neighboring countries. Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib is in Chad, where she is visiting several EU-funded projects in the country, including those assisting Sudanese refugees.
In Chad, €74.5 million will support the response to the forced displacement crisis in Lake Chad province, as well as the influx of Sudanese refugees and returnees to the east of the country. Funding will be used for food and nutrition assistance, protection for vulnerable individuals and families, health care and essential medicines, water, sanitation, and hygiene services, shelter for displaced populations, education, and multisectoral rapid response.
In Sudan, €160 million will support people in regions severely affected by conflict, with a focus on areas facing famine and severe food insecurity and hosting large forcibly displaced populations. Assistance includes addressing food insecurity through cash assistance, healthcare and nutrition services, water and sanitation, shelter support, protection, and education.
A further €48 million will support refugees, returnees, and host communities in South Sudan, Ethiopia, Egypt, and Libya, to respond to the spillover effects of the Sudanese crisis in neighboring countries, where almost 4 million people have already sought refuge.
Out of the total amount announced today, €140 million is subject to the approval of the budgetary authorities.
Commissioner Lahbib will also meet in Chad with EU humanitarian partners, national authorities, and civil society organizations to discuss humanitarian challenges and needs.
Commissioner for Preparedness, Crisis Management and Equality, Hadja Lahbib, said: “With conflict still raging in Sudan, humanitarian needs in the whole region are soaring. Neighbouring countries, grappling with their challenges, are under immense pressure and the recent surge in fighting is likely to cause even more people to flee across borders. During my mission to Chad, I witnessed firsthand the scale and impact of this crisis, in which the most vulnerable bear the brunt. Since the eruption of war in Sudan, the European Union has stepped up its support and today’s aid package reaffirms our unwavering commitment to address this crisis, providing crucial humanitarian assistance and extending support to neighbouring countries in their time of need.”
