UNICEF pledges $270m for humanitarian response and emergencies in Nigeria

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says it will support the Nigerian government with 270 million USD to strengthen its humanitarian response and emergencies.

UNICEF made the promise when its Country Representative, Christian Mundate, led the Chief of Health & HIV/AIDS, Eduardo Celades, to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation on Tuesday, in Abuja.

Speaking to the new Humanitarian Minister, Dr Betta Edu, the UNICEF Chief assured the Ministry of its technical support to build capacity of its staff as well as support the development of a Humanitarian Response Protocol for Nigeria to guide all Humanitarian Actors, as this will facilitate effective coordination.

He also said the International Organisation will support the establishment of a National Humanitarian Situation Room or Humanitarian Emergency Operation Centre (H-EOC) to monitor, mitigate and prevent Humanitarian Emergencies and build resilience in the system.

Responding, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, informed the delegation that the Federal Government of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is committed to lifting 133 Million poor Nigerians out of poverty in a phased approach especially the 71 Million extremely poor Nigerians who live under one dollar ninety-five cents a day.

She charged UNICEF to also draw up plans towards supporting the FG on poverty alleviation.

“Time is of essence and we need to run at the speed of light to roll out social programs that will bring relieve to the burdens of the poor. Nigerians are eagerly waiting for full implementation of the renewed hope agenda, the time for intense action is now”, she said.

While assuring them of the Ministry’s commitment to transparency and accountability in all the processes, Dr Edu told them that the engagement with partners like UNICEF will continue until Government achieves its target.