The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, expressed gratitude to development partners for their crucial support in addressing Nigeria’s pressing humanitarian challenges. The acknowledgment came during the inaugural National Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Coordination Meeting held at the UN House in Abuja on November 21.
Dr. Edu underscored the severity of the situation, revealing that an estimated 16 million Nigerians are currently affected by humanitarian crises across the nation. In her address, she emphasized the urgent need for durable solutions to address the displacement and vulnerability of these populations in a sustainable manner.
The Minister disclosed a significant initiative by the Nigerian government—the establishment of the Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund. Valued at $5 billion annually for the next seven years, the fund will be a collaborative effort, with the government, development partners, and the private sector each contributing 30%. The remaining 10% will be raised through innovative methods, including crowdfunding.
Dr. Edu further informed the gathering about Nigeria’s commitment to host the African Humanitarian Summit in 2024, building on the momentum created by the World Humanitarian Summit hosted by Turkey in 2016.
Welcoming this strategic move, Mr. Matthias Schmale, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, acknowledged the diminishing availability of donor funding for humanitarian efforts in Nigeria due to increasing global demands. He commended the Minister for committing to ensuring the Federal Government’s coordination role in all humanitarian assistance to the country.
The meeting, attended by heads of UN agencies, members of the diplomatic community, international NGOs, and relevant Federal Government agencies, concluded with an agreement to hold quarterly meetings as a coordinated mechanism for transparency and accountability. This collaborative effort aims to address the complex challenges facing Nigeria and provide a unified front against humanitarian crises.
