UNICEF to support Nigeria with $270m on humanitarian response, emergencies

Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has assured the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, of their commitment to support the Humanitarian Response and Poverty Alleviation with 270M USD.

This commitment, according to Rhoda Ishaku Iliya, Deputy Director Information in the Ministry was made when the Country Representative of UNICEF, Christian Mundate, led the Chief of Health & HIV/AIDS, Eduardo Celades, to the Honourable Minister in her office in Abuja.

The UNICEF Chief also assured the 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, UNICEF will also 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, Minister, 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”.

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 Nigeria will continue until Government achieves its target.