By Babs Oyetoro
The European Union has committed €2.3 million in emergency humanitarian assistance to Nigeria, Cameroon, the Central African Republic and Chad as cholera infections continue to rise across West and Central Africa.
Nigeria will receive the largest portion of the intervention, €1.5 million, to reinforce outbreak response, expand disease surveillance, and provide essential medical supplies, as well as water, sanitation, and hygiene services, in communities affected by the disease.
The funding was announced in a statement issued on Monday by the Press and Information Officer of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Modestus Chukwulaka.
The intervention comes against the backdrop of a worsening cholera situation across the continent. Data from the World Health Organisation showed that 61,888 cases and 1,230 deaths were reported in 16 African countries between January 1 and May 31, 2026.
Nigeria accounted for 6,860 cases and 80 deaths during the five months, with the outbreak accelerating sharply in May. The country recorded 5,798 new cases and 54 deaths in that month alone.
Borno State emerged as the epicentre of Nigeria’s outbreak by the end of May, recording 5,267 cumulative cases and 49 deaths across 10 local government areas. Maiduguri and Jere were identified as the worst-affected areas.
Under the EU intervention, Nigeria’s allocation will finance the deployment of additional emergency response teams and the distribution of cholera treatment kits and other critical supplies.
The assistance will also support the treatment of public and household water sources, strengthen sanitation and hygiene measures and expand epidemiological surveillance, particularly in communities that are difficult to reach.
The EU said the funding would further improve case management, strengthen public risk communication and support community sensitisation campaigns aimed at limiting further transmission.
Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, said the emergency package was designed to enable humanitarian organisations to respond rapidly while protecting communities facing the greatest risks.
“Cholera is preventable and treatable. Yet it still threatens lives when people lack something as basic as safe water and healthcare,” Lahbib said.
She said the intervention was particularly necessary as humanitarian needs continued to rise while funding available for emergency responses was becoming increasingly constrained.
“Europe is not looking away. This emergency funding will help our partners act quickly, contain the outbreaks and protect the communities most at risk,” she said.
Cameroon will receive €100,000 to support containment efforts and treatment of patients, including additional humanitarian personnel, medicines, cholera treatment centres and oral rehydration points in severely affected communities.
The Central African Republic is allocated €500,000 for expanded case management, vaccination and water, sanitation and hygiene interventions. The funds will also support disease surveillance, early detection, community engagement and safe and dignified burials.
Chad will receive €200,000 to improve access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, while strengthening community-based surveillance and case management to interrupt transmission.
The EU said the latest funding formed part of its wider humanitarian response to the regional cholera crisis, with emphasis on rapid interventions in communities considered most vulnerable to outbreaks.
WHO figures further underscore the scale of the emergency. African countries recorded 14,230 new cholera cases and 201 deaths in May alone, with Nigeria reporting the continent’s highest number of new infections during the month.
The WHO has cautioned, however, that official figures may not reflect the full scale of the outbreak due to underreporting and delays in disease surveillance.
Cholera is caused by Vibrio cholerae bacteria and is primarily spread through contaminated food or water. Severe cases can lead to rapid dehydration and death when treatment is delayed.
The EU intervention therefore places substantial emphasis on prevention, particularly ensuring access to safe water, improved sanitation and hygiene, early detection and effective community awareness.
The latest support comes after the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies provided $200,000 to Nigeria in June for cholera response activities, including coordination, surveillance, laboratory confirmation, treatment-centre support, emergency supplies and community engagement.
