Babatunji Wusu –
- Disaster Relief Fund approved by President Tinubu to enhance Nigeria’s humanitarian response.
- Localisation framework aims to empower local actors and resources to address growing humanitarian challenges.
- Collaborative approach advocated to ensure inclusivity in humanitarian aid efforts.
- USAID shifts 27% of funding to Nigerian-led organizations to promote local control of aid.
- Capacity building in supply chain management highlighted as essential for transforming humanitarian aid delivery in Nigeria.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima announced on Thursday that President Bola Tinubu has approved the creation of a new Disaster Relief Fund aimed at bolstering Nigeria’s humanitarian response system. The announcement was made at the launch of the Humanitarian Supply Chain Management – Partnership for Localisation Project at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Represented by Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice-President), Shettima explained that the fund would provide immediate assistance to disaster victims across the country, complementing the broader localisation framework designed to enhance local capacity in managing humanitarian needs.
The Vice-President stressed that “inaction is simply not an option,” and that the cost of failing to address humanitarian crises at their root would be devastating. He emphasized that localisation is not just about positioning local actors at the centre of humanitarian efforts, but rather is critical to creating a more inclusive, resilient future for Nigeria.
In line with Nigeria’s Localisation Framework, Shettima highlighted that the initiative seeks to empower local actors and leverage local resources to address the growing humanitarian challenges exacerbated by climate change and the global economic crisis.
Collaborative Approach to Humanitarian Aid
Mohammed Ahmed, Special Assistant to the President on Special Duties, Emergency and Logistics, underscored the importance of a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to humanitarian aid. He stressed that the government must be inclusive and participatory, ensuring that all voices—especially from marginalized communities—are heard. He further noted that issues like climate change and conflict affect everyone, and require a collective effort to address.
The project, Ahmed said, would support Nigeria’s localisation framework and create a platform to further the agenda, with much work still to be done to meet Nigeria’s targets in this area.
Local Engagement and Capacity Building
Mitsuko Mizushima, Project Director at Fritz Institute, highlighted that the project is focused on local engagement. She pointed to the growing importance of supply chain management in the humanitarian sector and the need for capacity building. The initiative aims to bring together international and local organizations, as well as academia, to develop standardized training in supply chain management. Mizushima mentioned that over 25,000 individuals have completed this training, which is freely accessible to anyone, anywhere, at any time.
Human-Centered Approach to Humanitarian Aid
Dr. Mairo Mandara, Chief Adviser to the Government of Borno State on Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Support, noted that localisation means responding directly to the needs of the people. She explained that in Borno State, the government has defined its own needs and is implementing a human-centered approach to transition from humanitarian aid to development. She emphasized that staying focused on transition plans will ensure success in this process.
USAID and Local Empowerment
In a related development, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced that it has directed approximately 27% of its funding to Nigerian-led organizations, in a move towards indigenous control of aid operations. Alexis Taylor-Granados, Acting Deputy Mission Director at USAID, reiterated that lasting change requires partnership and collaboration. He emphasized the importance of transferring leadership to local institutions that are best positioned to lead change within their communities.
Transforming Humanitarian Aid Delivery
Dr. Omokhudu Idogho, Managing Director of Society for Family Health (SFH), emphasized the need to view localisation from both the upstream and downstream perspectives. He highlighted that local laws and manufacturing capacity significantly impact localisation efforts. Idogho stated that Nigeria already has strong organizations capable of handling complex supply chain management programs, and with the right capacity, the country can transform humanitarian aid delivery.
