The Civil Society Budget Implementation Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation Committee (CBIAMEC) has advocated for the creation of a specialized Humanitarian Relief, Recovery, and Reintegration Fund (HRRRF) to effectively tackle Nigeria’s escalating displacement crisis.
During a press conference held in Abuja yesterday, CBIAMEC chairman Ambassador Agbonkpolor Splendor highlighted that the magnitude of Nigeria’s humanitarian emergencies has far exceeded the financial and operational capacities of government bodies like the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
Ambassador Splendor emphasized that ongoing violent conflicts, terrorism, clashes between farmers and herders, as well as natural disasters such as floods and windstorms, have uprooted millions across the country. He stressed that beyond the loss of shelter, many displaced individuals have been deprived of their means of livelihood, self-respect, and hope for the future.
“Every figure represents a person – a child denied education, a mother left homeless, a father stripped of his means to provide,” Splendor remarked. “Nigeria is currently confronting one of the most intricate humanitarian crises in its history, necessitating a permanent and well-organized response.”
He elaborated that the envisioned fund would enable rapid emergency interventions, bypassing the delays often caused by conventional budgetary procedures, while delivering comprehensive assistance. This support would extend beyond immediate needs like food and shelter to include education, healthcare, vocational training, and economic empowerment programs aimed at facilitating the reintegration of displaced persons into their communities.
Splendor called on the National Assembly to initiate legislation to establish the HRRRF as a lasting national framework characterized by transparency, independent oversight, and regular public accountability.
He further proposed that the financial burden should be shared among state governments, international development partners, and the private sector, rather than relying solely on federal funding.
“It is imperative that each state contributes consistently to this fund, fostering shared ownership and responsibility in managing crises within their territories while benefiting from coordinated national efforts,” he asserted.
Highlighting the urgency of the matter, Splendor framed the fund not as an act of charity but as a matter of justice and duty – a vital lifeline for millions of displaced Nigerians. He cautioned that neglecting to act would equate to abandoning vulnerable populations who depend on the nation for survival and hope.
