The United Nations has released US$5 million from the Central Emergency Fund (CERF) for anticipatory action against floods in Nigeria.
The release was made by the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher. This was discussed in an announcement made by the UN’s Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, who highlighted the need to act ahead of predictable shocks based on strong risk analysis.
Fall said: “Anticipating and acting ahead of crises such as floods saves lives. It also helps to protect peoples’ livelihoods which in turn reduce their vulnerability.”
He added: “In a global landscape characterised by reducing funds for humanitarian action, this proactive approach is critical as it does not only reduce the worst impacts of emergencies, but it also helps to reduce the overall cost of the humanitarian response.”
The $5 million CERF allocation complements government-led efforts through the anticipatory action taskforce.
The taskforce brings together key agencies including the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, and the National Emergency Management Agency under the stewardship of the Office of the Vice-President.
This is in collaboration with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
