22/12/2021 (Agence Europe) – The European Commission decided on Wednesday 22 December to allocate an additional €15 million in humanitarian aid to the Sahel region of Africa in response to the unprecedented food crisis that is affecting more than 8.7 million people in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Mauritania. €54 million in food aid to be sent to these four countries by 2021. “Earlier this year, the EU reaffirmed its commitment to the Sahel region”, recalled the Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič. Early estimates point to a major food crisis during the lean season of 2022, which is the period between harvests that usually runs from May to August. The World Food Programme reports critical funding gaps affecting its ability to assist people during the period of food shortages in the Sahel. (AN)