The European Commission has approved €2.3 million in emergency humanitarian aid to help Nigeria, Cameroon, the Central African Republic and Chad contain a growing cholera outbreak.
The funding was announced on Monday, August 17, 2026, by Modestus Chukwulaka, Press and Information Officer at the EU delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS.
According to the World Health Organisation, more than 61,000 cholera cases were reported across Africa in the first five months of 2026. Cholera, caused by Vibrio cholerae, spreads mainly through contaminated water and can cause rapid dehydration and shock in severe cases.
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Nigeria Gets Largest Share for Response Teams and Supplies
Nigeria will receive €1.5 million, the biggest allocation. The funds will expand intervention teams, provide cholera kits, and support water, sanitation and hygiene work including treatment of public water points and household water.
The EU said it will also help intensify epidemiological surveillance in hard-to-reach areas and strengthen case management, risk communication and community sensitisation.
Support Targeted at Cameroon, CAR and Chad
Cameroon gets €100,000 to boost outbreak containment and case management. This covers additional humanitarian staff, essential medicines, new cholera treatment units and oral rehydration points in worst-hit villages.
In the Central African Republic, €500,000 will scale up case management, vaccination, WASH interventions, surveillance and safe burials, plus stronger community engagement.
Chad will receive €200,000 to break transmission chains through improved access to water, sanitation, hygiene, and community support for surveillance and treatment.
EU: Cholera is Preventable, But Resources Are Shrinking
Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, said the aid is aimed at quick containment and protecting vulnerable communities.
“Cholera is preventable and treatable. Yet it still threatens lives when people lack something as basic as safe water and healthcare,” Lahbib said. “At a time when humanitarian needs are growing, and resources are shrinking, Europe is not looking away.”
