The United Nations has set up a new Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF) geared towards assisting those affected by the humanitarian crisis in northeast Nigeria caused by the destructive activities of the Boko Haram terrorists.The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr Edward Kallon, said that the fund would prioritise life-saving assistance to victims of Boko Haram insurgency.
A statement issued by Mr. Abiodun Banire, National Public Information Officer, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) quoted Kallon as saying in Abuja. Kallon described the humanitarian crisis in Nigeria’s north-east and the Lake Chad region as one of the most severe in the world today, with 8.5 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.
He said that the people were in three worst-affected states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe out of which 6.9 million people were targeted for humanitarian assistance. Kallon said that the 10.5 million dollars allocation by the new fund the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF) would prioritise life-saving assistance to the most vulnerable.
“The fund plays a vital role in ensuring an effective, coordinated, prioritized and principled humanitarian response, providing funding to international and national NGOs, UN agencies, funds and programmes, and the Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies, with a focus on frontline responders. “To date, the NHF has received $25 million in contributions and pledges, thanks to the generous support of Sweden, Germany, Norway, Belgium, Ireland, Norway, the Republic of Korea, Luxembourg, the Arab Gulf Program for Development, Azerbaijan, Malta and Sri Lanka.”
He said that it would also expand the humanitarian assistance provided by the UN and partners to the hard-to-reach and newly accessible areas.
According to him, the 10.5 million dollars will fund about 15 different projects which were selected by the various sectors of the humanitarian response and approved by the NHF Advisory Board. Kallon said that the projects target and address the needs of the most vulnerable people in locations where access is sporadic and where flooding, disease outbreaks and new displacements continue to take place.
He said that such places include Monguno, Mafa, Pulka and Rann in Borno and Michika in Adamawa. “The funds will also support efforts to enhance the protection of civilians in vulnerable communities and those trapped in conflict areas. “The NHF contributes to the overall international humanitarian appeal for Nigeria this year for 1.05 billion dollars as detailed in the 2017 Humanitarian Response Plan.
“It is the fourth largest single-country appeal globally. To date, the appeal is 43 per cent funded,” he said.
 "Finidi George, Amokachi Unveiled As Super Eagles Gaffers")
