(Ecofin Agency) - The European Union approved the disbursement of €4.2 million (about CFA2.7 billion) to assist the victims of the recent floods that hit Niger

"With these emergency funds, the EU is stepping up humanitarian support to the people who have suffered severe flooding. Our humanitarian partners will thus be able to distribute first aid kits and provide shelter to the populations hardest hit by the disasters," said Janez Lenarčič, European Commissioner for Crisis Management.

Part of these funds will be used to support the Rapid Response Mechanism for Humanitarian Emergencies in Niger, which should make it possible to provide temporary shelters, non-food items, and hygiene kits to more than 11,000 affected people in the regions of Diffa, Tahoua, Tillaberi, and Maradi. Another part of the resources is intended for the Luxembourg Red Cross and its local partner, the Niger Red Cross, to deliver shelter and hygiene kits to 5,600 disaster victims in the regions of Niamey, Maradi, and Tillaberi.

The main donor countries are France (€1,750,000), Germany (€700,000), Belgium (€426,000), and Luxembourg (€250,000).  The floods that affected Niger this year caused extensive property damage and dozens of deaths. The number of people affected is in the hundreds of thousands. All 8 regions of the country are affected.

Mawulolo Ahlijah