Group wants more funding of $1.05bn North East humanitarian response plan
NAN-AE-2
Funding
By Tosin Kolade
Abuja, Aug. 4, 2017 (NAN) Action Against Hunger, an international non-governmental organisation, on Friday called on all stakeholders to provide the $1.05 billion needed for the Humanitarian Response Plan in areas affected by insurgency in Nigeria.
Mr Yannick Pouchalan, the agency’s Country Director, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the funds were needed to scale-up interventions for displaced persons in the North East region of the country.
According to him, the 2017 Humanitarian Response Plan of $1.05 billion target has generated only 38 per cent funding as at July 2017.
“Another challenge is the funding gap that affects our scale up of interventions.
“Although Action Against Hunger has been able to receive funding from institutional donors, there is still a great need to reach more people with timely interventions and this would require more funds and fulfilment of pledges from international partners, the government and private sector.
“The 2017 Humanitarian Response Plan that appeals for $1.05 billion needs to be adequately funded – as of July 2017, the Humanitarian Response Plan is 38.3 per cent funded.”
Pouchalan said insecurity, lack of clear safety guards and poor infrastructure continues to hinder humanitarian activities in the region.
He stated that there was still little or no access to some communities affected by the conflict that were in dire need of assistance.
The country director noted the shortage of government workers, particularly doctors and midwives especially in newly established humanitarian operational areas, has also limited the scope of interventions.
The official, however, said the group has increased its presence in hard-to- reach areas through coordinated efforts and building important relationships with local authorities, communities and volunteers.
He said working closely with the government and ministries had also facilitated the deployment of workers to support restoration of basic services in some of the affected areas.
NAN reports that Action Against Hunger, which has been operating in Nigeria since 2010, is a leading humanitarian organisation in the fight against hunger in the north-eastern part of Nigeria.
The agency has been working to prevent and treat severe malnutrition and achieve nutrition security via an integrated, holistic, multi-sectoral approach.
Since 2014, Action Against Hunger has been responding to the humanitarian crisis, implementing the Food, Security and Livelihoods scheme as well as nutrition, health, WASH and shelter interventions in Yobe and Borno. (NAN)
TAK/MOL/MZA
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Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Maharazu Ahmed
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