The United States Mission in Nigeria has announced that the country will receive $27 million as part of a broader $536 million humanitarian aid package directed toward Sub-Saharan Africa by the U.S. Government.
This assistance is part of ongoing efforts by the United States to provide life-saving support to vulnerable populations and host communities across the continent.
In a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Tuesday, U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, highlighted the significance of the aid, stating, “This assistance will make a real difference in the lives of those most in need in Nigeria and across the continent.”
He emphasised the U.S.’s commitment to aiding Nigeria in tackling humanitarian challenges, including food insecurity and the impacts of climate change.
According to the statement, the comprehensive aid package was officially unveiled by Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Uzra Zeya, bringing the total U.S. humanitarian assistance to Sub-Saharan Africa for Fiscal Year 2024 to nearly $3.7 billion.
The funds are earmarked to address the critical needs of vulnerable individuals in the region, including refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, and other conflict-affected populations.
“It will focus on crises in the Sahel, among other areas, and support efforts to build durable solutions such as voluntary returns and refugee integration,” the statement added.
The $27 million allocated to Nigeria will be distributed through the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration and USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance.
Mills reaffirmed the U.S.’s solidarity with Nigeria, stating, “We stand with Nigeria in its efforts to provide for vulnerable populations and build resilience against food insecurity and climate change impacts.”
