The United States has unveiled more than $240 million in humanitarian and disaster-response funding for Catholic Relief Services (CRS) to support vulnerable populations in Nigeria and other crisis-hit countries.
Announced in Rome on Friday by Ryan Shrum, Senior Bureau Official of the State Department’s Bureau of Disaster and Humanitarian Response, the package represents the first in a new series of global awards designed to accelerate emergency assistance.
The funding will enable CRS to deliver life-saving aid within 24 hours of a disaster, bypassing delays typical of traditional mechanisms. Support will cover food security, nutrition, healthcare, water and sanitation, shelter, and other critical services.
Nigeria stands to benefit alongside Burma, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Haiti, and Sudan – all nations grappling with conflict, disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and food insecurity.
A portion of the funds will bolster a global rapid-response fund, allowing immediate resource mobilisation without lengthy procurement processes. Officials noted that CRS operates through more than 160 Caritas chapters worldwide, facilitating access even in politically sensitive environments.
The State Department said the initiative complements broader U.S. efforts, including $3.8 billion channelled through the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). In the DRC, where Ebola remains a concern, CRS is already supporting response activities, and the new funding will strengthen ongoing disease-control work.
Washington described CRS as a trusted partner with a proven track record in the world’s most challenging settings, reaffirming its commitment to faster, more efficient, and accountable humanitarian assistance.