The United States, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has committed approximately $176 million in additional humanitarian aid to Nigeria, Mali, and other countries in West Africa.
In a statement released on Tuesday, USAID said the funding aims to address the severe humanitarian crises exacerbated by conflict, food insecurity, and displacement in the region.
The agency outlined that the aid will benefit communities in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Nigeria.
“The funds will be disbursed through the United Nations and various partners, including the UN World Food Program, UNICEF, and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
“These funds will allow our partners to reach additional people with food assistance, nutrition, safe drinking water, emergency health care, and protection for the most vulnerable, along with other vital aid.
“The aid is expected to bolster efforts to provide essential services and improve the quality of life for the affected populations,” USAID stated.
Experts say the additional USAID funding underscores the ongoing humanitarian needs in West Africa, where millions face dire conditions due to prolonged conflicts and economic instability.
“The juxtaposition of international aid and national self-reliance strategies marks a critical discourse on sustainable development and humanitarian response in Nigeria and the broader West African region,” Hakeem Ayoola, a public policy analyst based in Abuja said.
In a related development, the United States government has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing food security in Nigeria, announcing investments totalling $200 million over the past five years.
Additionally, $150 million in grants have been extended to 33 private sector companies in Nigeria, and a $22 million investment has been made in Nigeria’s cocoa value chain across seven states.
Speaking at the 2024-2029 Global Food Security Strategy Launch in Abuja, the U.S. Acting Ambassador to Nigeria, David Greene, emphasized the importance of investments in addressing food insecurity and bolstering agricultural productivity in Nigeria.
