Nigeria gets €5.5m from Germany to fight COVID-19

The Nigeria Humanitarian Fund has received a donation of €5.5m from the German Mission in Nigeria, according to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Nigeria.

The PUNCH reports that the donation is worth the sum of N2.2bn, according to an online currency converter, Oanda, as of 2pm on Thursday.

This is coming as the West-African country grapples with the attendant effects of economic shocks as a result of the coronavirus pandemic which has paralysed most activities in the country while infecting over 170 people with two deaths.

Part of the Federal Government’s effort to curb the spread of the pandemic is the initiation of a 14-day lockdown in top cities including Abuja and Lagos, according to Mynigeria.com.

There have been cries by the populace for the government to cushion the effect of the lockdown by providing relief materials including foodstuffs and other essentials.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Nigeria announcing on its Twitter handle, @OCHANigeria, said the donation by Germany would help vulnerable persons in Nigeria have access to potable water, food and shelter amidst the crisis.

UNOCHA Nigeria tweeted, “Germany pledges €5.5m to the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund. It’s more critical than ever for vulnerable people to have access to clean water, food & shelter. This will enable partners to continue delivering life-saving aid amidst COVID-19.”

Punch