The European Union (EU) has announced the release of €500,000 (approximately ₦886 million) in humanitarian assistance to address the urgent needs of displaced persons in Benue State, Nigeria.
The funding, announced on Thursday, comes in response to a recent surge in violence in the North Central state, which has triggered a fresh wave of mass displacement. The EU said the financial support, to be implemented over six months in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), will cover critical sectors such as protection, shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), as well as multi-purpose cash assistance.
Thousands of residents in Benue have been forced to flee their homes due to escalating armed violence. In June 2025 alone, nearly 23,000 people were displaced—many of whom had already been uprooted by earlier conflicts—deepening a cycle of vulnerability and humanitarian need.
Conditions in displacement camps remain dire, with severe shortages of shelter, inadequate access to clean water and sanitation, and limited livelihood opportunities. Protection concerns are also mounting, especially for women, children, and people with disabilities, further complicating relief efforts.
The EU noted that this latest displacement is part of a broader, long-standing crisis in Benue, which has faced recurrent violence since 2018. Over 1.5 million people have been displaced in the past seven years, with an estimated 6,900 lives lost and more than 400,000 people newly displaced since the beginning of 2024.
The European Union and its member states are among the world’s largest providers of humanitarian aid. Through its Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department, the EU delivers emergency relief to victims of conflict and disaster around the globe, prioritizing life-saving support based solely on humanitarian needs.
“The European Union remains committed to standing in solidarity with vulnerable populations affected by crises, ensuring the preservation of life, dignity, and human rights,” the EU stated.
