Nigeria to receive $27m aid from US to tackle humanitarian crisis

The United States Mission in Nigeria has announced that Nigeria will receive $27 million as part of a larger $536 million humanitarian aid package directed toward Sub-Saharan Africa by the U.S. Government. This aid is part of the United States’ ongoing efforts to provide critical support to vulnerable populations and host communities throughout the continent.

In a statement provided on Tuesday, U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria Richard Mills underscored the importance of the assistance, saying, “This aid will significantly impact the lives of those most in need in Nigeria and across the continent.” He also reiterated the U.S.’s dedication to supporting Nigeria in addressing humanitarian challenges, including food insecurity and the effects of climate change.

The comprehensive aid package was announced by Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Uzra Zeya, raising the total U.S. humanitarian assistance to Sub-Saharan Africa for Fiscal Year 2024 to nearly $3.7 billion. The funds are designated to meet the critical needs of vulnerable individuals in the region, including refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, and other conflict-affected populations.

The $27 million allocated to Nigeria will be managed through the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration and USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance. According to the statement, the aid will focus on crises in the Sahel and support efforts to create sustainable solutions such as voluntary returns and refugee integration.

Mills reaffirmed the U.S.’s commitment to Nigeria, stating, “We stand with Nigeria in its efforts to support vulnerable populations and enhance resilience against food insecurity and the impacts of climate change.”