Press Release: European Commission releases €14.9 million for food security to the Republic of Niger

As a result of the worsening food crisis in the Sahel, the European Commission agreed on 10 August 2010 to disburse €14.9 million for food security in Niger, the worst affected country in the area.

This follows the Commission's recent proposal to resume aid to Niger for €458 million between 2008 and 2013. The aid provided is in addition to the humanitarian assistance of €25 million, which has been allocated so far in 2010 via the Commission's Department for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO).

The funds will be complementary to the Commission's latest efforts to mobilise extra €30 million for the Sahel region, mainly for Niger, in order to avoid another food crisis.