The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has pledged to commit 270 million dollars to strengthen and support Nigeria’s humanitarian response and poverty alleviation efforts.
UNICEF Country Representative, Cristian Munduate, made this known when she met with the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, in Abuja.
According to a statement issued to newsmen by the Deputy Director, Information, of the Ministry, Mrs. Rhoda Iliya, on Tuesday in Abuja, “UNICEF also assured the minister of their commitment to provide technical support towards building the capacity of the ministry’s staff to achieve its mandate.”
”We will also support the development of a humanitarian response protocol for Nigeria to guide all humanitarian actors, as this will facilitate effective coordination.
”We will 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,” the statement added.
The statement said the minister, in her response, informed the UNICEF delegation of the federal government’s determination to lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty.
It quoted the minister as saying that ”the Federal Government of President Bola Tinubu is committed to lifting 133 million poor Nigerians out of poverty in a phased approach.
”Especially the 71 million extremely poor Nigerians who leave under one dollar and ninety-five cents a day.
The statement said Edu also charged UNICEF to, as a matter of urgency, draw up their plan of action towards supporting the federal government’s efforts on poverty alleviation.
”Time is of the essence, and we need to run at the speed of light to roll out social programmes that will relieve the burdens of the poor.
”Nigerians are eagerly waiting for full implementation of the renewed hope agenda, and the time for intense action is now,” the statement indicated.
The statement said the minister assured UNICEF and other development partners of the government’s determination to continue the engagement to achieve the target of lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty.
“The minister maintained that transparency and accountability will remain a top priority under her stewardship in the ministry,” the statement added.
