Amid the deteriorating situation in Niger, triggered by the coup that ousted democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum and the subsequent imposition of sanctions by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), the European Union (EU) has taken a proactive stance to assist humanitarian partners in the country. These partners are grappling with an increasingly dire humanitarian situation aggravated by disruptions in the supply chain.

The EU has initiated a new air bridge to Niamey, Niger, with the primary aim of providing critical medical supplies and medications, which have been in short supply since the coup. Simultaneously, this operation also seeks to enhance the scale of the humanitarian response in the country. In total, four flights, transporting a combined 58 tonnes of essential healthcare provisions, have been organized and dispatched to Niger.

Even before the coup, Niger was already grappling with a humanitarian crisis brought about by conflicts, population displacement, food shortages, child malnutrition, and epidemic outbreaks. This crisis had left 16 percent of the population (approximately 4.3 million people) reliant on humanitarian assistance from the EU and other international humanitarian partners. With the EU being the most important contributor to Niger's humanitarian efforts, having allocated €36.6 million in humanitarian aid this year.

B2EU remains committed to closely monitoring the situation in Niger and will provide updates on any future developments.