During a press conference at ECOWAS headquarters in Abuja on Friday, Prof. Fatou Sarr, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, announced a significant move in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso. A total of $25 million has been allocated for this purpose in 2024.
Of this amount, $4 million has been specifically earmarked for humanitarian assistance to address the dire consequences of terrorism and alleviate the impact of natural disasters in the region. Sarr stressed the crucial role of humanitarian aid, especially in light of ongoing crises and widespread displacements across ECOWAS member states.
“In 2024, ECOWAS has allocated $9 million to support internally displaced persons, refugees, asylum seekers, and host communities across all 15 member countries,” Sarr stated. Additionally, $1 million has been set aside for stabilization efforts in Nigeria, focusing on aiding victims of terrorism, displaced individuals, rehabilitation efforts, and bolstering community resilience.
Out of the $25 million allocated for counter-terrorism efforts, ECOWAS has reserved $4 million for humanitarian initiatives. In 2023 alone, ECOWAS provided over $12.6 million in assistance to 4 million of the 8.5 million victims of violent conflicts and disasters across West Africa.
Sarr also highlighted specific instances of support, such as providing $600,000 to the Republic of Guinea, which faced sanctions in January. This funding included $100,000 for fire disaster relief and $499,390 for flood relief efforts in the country.
Furthermore, ECOWAS has implemented programs to empower and develop young people in the region, focusing on volunteerism, sports, and economic integration. Since 2014, 217 volunteers have been deployed to countries including Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Benin. These initiatives aim to instill a sense of volunteerism among youth, providing avenues for professional growth, civic engagement, and community service awareness.
