Accountability to affected people & people- centred response
Accountability to affected people (AAP) is a cornerstone of the humanitarian response in north- east Nigeria. Humanitarian partners are committed to seeking out, listening to, and acting on the diverse voices of all affected communities for course correction in the response. This includes delivering a response that is both owned by and developed in partnership with these communities, informed by two-way communication and meaningful engagement.
Community consultations involved separate focus group discussions with women, men, youth, persons with disabilities and older persons, as well as engagement with community leadership structures. In 2024, guided by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) commitments to AAP, significant efforts were made to ensure the meaningful participation of affected communities in the humanitarian response.
Key activities included:
- Communicating life-saving and critical messages to local communities through various channels and platforms.
- Tracking and monitoring community feedback and perceptions via the Collective Information Accountability Management System platform.
- Ensuring quality and inclusivity in programming, adhering to established global minimum standards.
Humanitarian partners remain committed to strengthening community-centred approaches.
With the guidance and support of the Community Engagement, Accountability and Localization Working Group (CEAL WG), the response will continue to prioritize key AAP areas, such as real-time community feedback and perception monitoring, community engagement and validation sessions, and inclusive, protection-sensitive and gender-responsive mechanisms.
The CEAL WG will also focus on building the capacity of humanitarian actors, particularly local actors and community members, to ensure that the humanitarian response in north-east Nigeria is fully guided by the voices, needs and priorities of crisis- affected communities.
Protection from sexual exploitation and abuse
To address significant shortcomings in protecting communities from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) in north-east Nigeria, particularly among conflict-affected and displaced populations, the HCT endorsed a comprehensive strategy that integrates PSEA across all sectors. This involves strengthening accessible and trusted reporting mechanisms like 24/7 multilingual hotlines and community-based focal points; increasing community awareness through culturally sensitive campaigns and engagement with local leaders, women’s groups and youth associations; mandating comprehensive PSEA training for all humanitarian staff and partners to build capacity; improving survivor support systems with accessible, survivor-centred medical, psychosocial and legal services; enhancing coordination and accountability through inter-agency collaboration and clear accountability mechanisms; and ensuring dedicated funding for sustained PSEA initiatives. By focusing on these significant enhancements, the strategy aims to overcome previous challenges such as limited accessibility, lack of awareness, inadequate support for survivors, and insufficient staff training, ultimately fostering a safe, inclusive, and responsive environment that meets the unique needs of each community in north-east Nigeria.
Gender, age, disability & other diversities - sensitivity and empowerment
In 2025, the HNRP will prioritize addressing the specific needs of women and girls, who remain among the most vulnerable groups in the north-east. The ongoing conflict has severely impacted their access to education, health care, economic opportunities and decision-making processes. Cultural norms and gender roles further limit their opportunities, with girls often prevented from attending school due to household responsibilities. The HNRP aims to overcome these challenges by ensuring that women and girls have access to essential services, such as reproductive health care, nutrition support and protection against GBV. Special emphasis will be placed on supporting survivors of GBV and addressing the root causes of violence against women.
In addition, the HNRP will ensure inclusion of people with disabilities, over 90 per cent of whom have limited access to viable livelihoods opportunities – according to the Disability Working Group's multi- sectoral needs assessment. Additionally, only 2 per cent of households headed by women with disabilities have enrolled their children in formal education. Women and girls with disabilities are also particularly vulnerable, with 85.3 per cent facing increased risks of exploitation and sexual abuse.
To empower women and girls and people with disabilities, the HNRP will promote their active participation and leadership in decision-making processes at all levels, ensuring that their voices are heard in community consultations and project implementation. Economic empowerment initiatives will provide vocational training, access to microfinance and cash-based interventions to help women and girls, and people with disabilities build sustainable livelihoods. Additionally, the HNRP recognizes the needs of vulnerable boys and men, providing support for their physical and emotional well-being. This inclusive approach aims to foster equality, resilience and sustainable recovery for all individuals affected by the crisis.