EU supports victims of Yelwata attack, Benue IDPs, others with €1.5m aids

The European Union has committed €1.5 million to support victims of the recent crisis in Yelwata, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue State, and other vulnerable populations across Nigeria.

EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, made the announcement on Tuesday during a joint press conference with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction in Abuja.

Mignot emphasized the EU’s ongoing commitment to Nigeria, noting that the funds will support immediate humanitarian needs through its Emergency Humanitarian Office (ECHO) and longer-term recovery efforts under the Support for Internally Displaced Persons in Nigeria project.

“The European Union is a special partner to Nigeria,” Mignot said. “In a fast-changing world, where many partnerships are being reevaluated, we want to remain a reliable partner—one that keeps its commitments.”

He stated that the EU’s current package includes €1.5 million for urgent humanitarian assistance, particularly in Benue State. Additionally, €1 million has been allocated for durable solutions such as housing and livelihoods to support IDP reintegration. Originally, the reintegration project did not cover Benue but has now been expanded to include the state.

“We’re working closely with our partners to implement this support quickly and efficiently while also exploring additional resources, especially for peacebuilding,” he added.

Mignot also stressed the importance of mobilizing domestic resources in response to the global decline in international humanitarian funding.

“It’s increasingly difficult to rely solely on external support. This makes it essential for the federal and state governments, along with the private sector, to step up and contribute to humanitarian responses,” he said. “This is a call to action for all sectors in Nigeria.”

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, commended the EU’s intervention and revealed ongoing efforts to establish an Anticipatory Response Fund—an initiative designed to reduce dependence on donor aid and enable a proactive response to emergencies.

“This funding from the EU is arriving at a critical time, especially in Benue where lives have been lost, homes destroyed, and livelihoods erased,” Yilwatda said. “Currently, 810 children are out of school, more than 200 children are in IDP camps, and over 100 businesses have shut down. Many are also at risk of acute malnutrition. These are urgent humanitarian needs.”

He explained that the proposed Anticipatory Response Fund would form part of the national budget and provide a structured approach to dealing with emergencies—both expected and unexpected.

“We are working toward a permanent solution,” the minister added. “By next year, we don’t want to be scrambling for emergency funds. This fund will ensure we have a consistent and sustainable framework for responding to malnutrition, displacement, and other humanitarian crises.”