HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE AND EMERGENCIES IN NIGERIA: UNICEF TO COMMIT 270M USD

Dr. Betta Edu
Honourable Minister
Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Ministry.

"Nigerians are eagerly waiting for full implementation of the renewed hope agenda, the time for intense action is now." Betta Edu.

"Time is of essence and we need to run at the speed of light to roll out social programs that will bring relief to the burdens of the poor. 

The Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, has received reassurances from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) of their commitment to support the Humanitarian Response and Poverty Alleviation with $270M USD. 

This was the pronouncement by the Country Representative of UNICEF, Christian Mundate, when he led the Chief of Health & HIV/AIDS, Eduardo Celades, to the Office of the Honourable Minister in Abuja.

The UNICEF Chief, according to a release from the Deputy Director (Information) Rhoda Ishaku Iliya, also assured the Honourable Minister of technical support to build capacity of the Ministry’s 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. 

In addition, it was also disclosed that they 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.  

In her response, Dr. Betta Edu, informed the delegation that the Federal Government of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is committed to lifting 133 Million poor Nigerians out of poverty in a phased approach; especially, the 71 Million extremely poor Nigerians who leave 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 relief 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."

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