Nigeria, OCHA, Nigeria Humanitarian Fund

High levels of violence continue unabated in the northeastern states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY) with civilians bearing the brunt of it. The severe protection and worsening food security crises are exacerbated by underlying conditions such as widespread poverty, socioeconomic and environmental challenges, demographic pressure and soaring prices of food, fuel and fertilizers. The humanitarian response in Northeast Nigeria is rendered complex by multi layered bureaucratic processes, a militarized response constraining access to timely and quality aid, and ongoing concerns of IHL violations, primarily by non state armed groups but also by Government forces and associated militias.

Substantial further assistance by national and international actors is needed for the most vulnerable people through different funding sources, including the NHF. The NHF, like all country-based pooled funds (CBPF), complements other humanitarian funding sources, and supports the annual Humanitarian Response Plans (HRPs) in Nigeria. In the past years, the NHF has proven to be a vital tool to deliver the most urgent humanitarian relief in the BAY states.

-    IDPs

-    Host communities

-    Returnees

-    Refugees

Outcome 1)    Unfolding humanitarian emergencies are addressed;

Outcome 2)    Underfunded priorities in the HRP are supported; 

Outcome 3)    Localization of aid is promoted through increased financial and technical support to local NGOs.

Risultati principali attesi:  

-    A standard allocation is foreseen as soon as the Fund balance grows to at least $15M each year to respond to the most critical humanitarian needs of IDPs, host communities and returnees in line with priorities set in the annual HRPs.

-    Reserve allocations are foreseen to complement efforts of the standard allocations and to respond to newly emerging critical needs.

-    Specific efforts continue to strengthen localization of aid, as per the NHF Strategy for 2023 and beyond. Other areas of focus will include: accountability to affected populations (AAP), cash programming, protection, gender and supporting increased multi-year planning by the NHF.

Risultati fasi precedenti:  

In 2022, the NHF achieved the following:

-    Some US$27.4M was allocated, with contributions from 10 donors, including CHF 1M from SDC/HA.

-    The fund prioritized life saving aid to new and existing IDPs in the BAY states focusing on seven critical sectors (WASH, shelter, health, nutrition, protection, food security, education).

-    Through three allocations, two reserved and one standard, the NHF funded 91 projects for Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states by 50 partners, including 49 projects by 27 national partners.

-    Out of the $24.7M, 37% went to national/local NGOs, 48% to international NGOs and 15% to UN agencies. Funding percentage to national/local NGOs has constantly increased since the inception of the fund in 2017.

-    The NHF supported a pilot project implemented by IOM and UNHCR on durable solutions for the first time.