By the Federal Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction
There were a multitude of humanitarian challenges across Nigeria in 2024. Conflict, climate change and disease outbreaks continue to wreak havoc, affecting millions of people. Breaking the cycle of vulnerability will require concerted efforts from state and federal government, and humanitarian and development partners, including civil society. Only by working together can we address the plight of people affected by disaster and conflict. I welcome the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for 2025 as a key element in addressing humanitarian needs in Nigeria.
I very much welcome the call for reform of the humanitarian sector. Reduced humanitarian funding should be an opportunity to spur innovation, a drive for greater efficiency, and continued improvements in transparency and accountability. More than anything, I firmly believe that a change in mindset is needed in terms of how we think about people affected by disaster and conflict. Despite the rhetoric, they are still often treated as people without agency, as lacking capacities and resources. We must redouble our efforts to enable and empower them to be active participants in humanitarian efforts and harness their creativity and energy. Their voices must guide our efforts.
I am very much heartened by the continuing work to find durable solutions for internally displaced people. Though I recognise that not all ancestral homes, or places of origin are safe, many are, and there are opportunities to bring hope and a better future for those profoundly affected by conflict. These efforts are an illustration of how government, the United Nations system and local and international NGOs can come together to move beyond a short-term agenda of merely aiming to reduce suffering and keep people live. I am confident that together we will make this a success.
The Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan is not limited in its action to Borno, Adamawa and Yobe. The Response Plan addresses all the hHumanitarian needs of other states highlighted in the Plan. This includes displacement from inter-communal conflict, the impact of climate change, food insecurity and malnutrition, as well as disease outbreaks. Importantly, the Plan sets out the challenge of finding newother and innovative models to address humanitarian needs that works hand in hand with development and peace-building efforts outside the BAY states. Such initiatives hold much promise, learning the lessons from the operation in the north-east, focusing on the positives but also ensuring that a long-term perspective is maintained.
Such models must simultaneously aim at reducing vulnerability through development and peace-building efforts, as well as addressing the most precarious needs. I fully agree with a model that is government-led and where government and local resources are being mobilised to address humanitarian needs. Localisation will be the key to success, building the capacities of local authorities and also local civil society. These initiatives should align with development plans, the agenda for Renewed Hope, launched by his Excellency the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.
A key aspect of the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan is inclusion. Nigeria is a diverse country and we must make sure that no one is left behind. Youth, the elderly, persons living with a disability, women, girls and boys all have vulnerabilities but also have abilities and an important voice. Both gender and inclusion must underpin humanitarian and development efforts, ensuring that we meet individual and collective needs. I am, moreover, greatly encouraged to see that this diversity is reflected in civil society organisations involved in the humanitarian response, further underlining the importance of localisation.
I would like to thank Member States and other humanitarian donors, as well as our humanitarian partners for standing with Nigerians in their hour of need. Your solidarity, empathy and support make a difference. I can assure you that the Government of Nigeria will continue to dedicate energy and resources to address humanitarian needs across the country. With our international and local partners, we will also aim to make sure we foster more proactive and efficient responses to humanitarian needs and together work to reduce the risk of these happening.
Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda
The Federal Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction