‎EUROPEAN UNION DEBUNKS CLAIMS OF CUTTING HUMANITARIAN AID TO NIGERIA

‎The European Union, EU, has refuted claims that it has reduced its
humanitarian assistance to Nigeria, particularly in efforts to tackle the
growing challenge of food and nutrition insecurity.
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‎This follows a press release issued on 25 July by Médecins Sans
Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, which alleged
that the EU and other international donors had made massive cuts in their
support for the nutrition crisis in Nigeria.
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‎In a press statement signed by the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS
on Monday, the EU described the information as unsubstantiated and
inaccurate, stressing that the level of humanitarian support provided
through the EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) in
Nigeria this year has remained consistent.
‎
‎The EU further stated that, just like in 2024, a significant part of ECHO’s
assistance in Nigeria focuses on nutrition, health, and food assistance
emergencies. It also acknowledged that Doctors Without Borders had since
revised the initial press release, removing the reference to the EU among
international donors alleged to have made funding cuts.
‎
‎While commending the work of Doctors Without Borders teams in Nigeria,
some of which is funded by the EU, the EU stressed the importance of
sharing accurate public information, especially in humanitarian situations
affecting millions of lives.
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‎The statement also reiterated the call made by the EU Ambassador during
a 22 July joint press conference with the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs
and Poverty Reduction and other humanitarian actors, urging both local
and global stakeholders to strengthen support for vulnerable communities.