The European Union Delegation to Nigeria has refuted claims made by Médecins Sans Frontières also known as Doctors Without Borders, alleging massive funding cuts by international donors, including the EU, in response to Nigeria’s nutrition crisis.
In a statement on Monday by the Information Officer, EU delegation to Nigeria, Modestus Chukwulaka, the EU described MSF’s initial press release as “unsubstantiated and inaccurate,” clarifying that its humanitarian support through the EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations in the first half of 2025 remains consistent with the level provided during the same period in 2024.
Chukwulaka said, “Following a press release published on 25 July by the non-governmental organisation MSF mentioning alleged “massive cuts” by the European Union (EU), among other international donors, in the response to the nutrition insecurity in Nigeria, the EU Delegation in Nigeria would like to communicate that this information is unsubstantiated and inaccurate, as the level of EU humanitarian support granted by the EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Office ECHO in Nigeria in the first half of 2025 has in fact been similar to the one provided in the first half of 2024 and, as done in previous years, the EU is working to increase the amount with additional top ups.
“Like in 2024, a significant part of ECHO assistance in Nigeria focuses on nutrition, health and food assistance in Nigeria focuses on nutrition, health and food assistance emergencies. “
“The EU Delegation takes note of the revised version of the press release published today by MSF, which eliminates the mention of the European Union when speaking of massive cuts by international donors.”
The EU also acknowledged the revised version of MSF’s press release, published the same day, which removed the EU’s mention in reference to funding cuts by international donors.
The EU also acknowledged the revised version of MSF’s press release, published the same day, which removed the EU’s mention in reference to funding cuts by international donors.
While commending the efforts of the MSF team, some of which are supported by EU funds to treat malnourished children and their mothers, the EU stressed the need for accuracy in public communication on such critical matters.
“While commending the work performed by MSF teams, partly through EU funding, to help malnourished children and their mothers in Nigeria, as witnessed by the EU Ambassador during his recent visit to Sokoto State on 19-20 July, the EU Delegation underlines the importance of communicating verified and accurate information on this matter of utmost importance for the Nigerian people.
“The EU Delegation underlines the importance of communicating verified and accurate information on this matter of utmost importance for the Nigerian people.. The EU Delegation wishes once more to highlight that the EU is keeping its financial commitments and its general level of support across the board in the framework of its partnership with Nigeria,” the statement added.
