300m People Need Humanitarian Aid Globally, Says UN-OCHA

• UN-OCHA raises concerns over diminishing funds for humanitarian assistance, emphasizing the critical need for concerted efforts in addressing crisis
• Head of UN-OCHA Nigeria, Trond Jensen, urges collaboration with NEMA to tackle humanitarian challenges amidst funding constraints effectively

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) has raised concerns over diminishing funds from major donors for humanitarian assistance, signalling a critical time for concerted efforts in addressing humanitarian crises.

On Tuesday, Mr. Trond Jensen, the head of the UN-OCHA office in Nigeria, expressed these sentiments during his visit to Mrs. Zubaida Umar, the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

Jensen emphasized the imperative for collaboration between both agencies and the necessity of adopting strategic approaches to tackling humanitarian challenges amidst funding constraints. He disclosed that UN-OCHA faces a 20 percent reduction in funds this year, affecting its ability to meet the needs of nearly 300 million people worldwide. Given these challenges, he underscored the importance of partnering with NEMA to leverage each other’s strengths in addressing humanitarian issues effectively and efficiently.

Highlighting the significance of local resources, Jensen emphasized the need to tap into indigenous capacities to address humanitarian crisis. He also emphasized the urgency of addressing climate-related challenges, such as rising temperatures and irregular weather patterns, by implementing measures to prevent and mitigate natural disasters.

In response, Mrs. Umar affirmed NEMA’s commitment to alleviating the suffering of individuals affected by disasters and bolstering community resilience in Nigeria. She highlighted NEMA’s efforts in improving early warning systems, conducting sensitization campaigns, and engaging stakeholders to enhance disaster preparedness and response capabilities.

Mrs. Umar acknowledged the instrumental role of collaboration between NEMA and UN-OCHA in enhancing response capabilities and extending support to vulnerable populations in Nigeria.

The dialogue between UN-OCHA and NEMA underscores the importance of strategic partnerships and collaborative efforts in addressing humanitarian challenges amidst funding constraints and evolving global crises.