Borno Govt Appeals To Donor Agencies To Support Vulnerable Amidst Funding Cut
By Ladi Dapson, Maiduguri
Borno State, which has been the leading beneficiary of donor fundings in Nigeria over the last 15 years to cater for the majority of its population rendered vulnerable by Boko-Haram and ISWAP terror, has begun to explore other funding avenues to augment its other earnings to enable it sustain managing the vulnerable population.
Consequently, the Borno state government has appealed to donors and humanitarian partners to assist the state in filling the gap created by the USAID funding cut, which has adverse effects on the vulnerable population in the state.
Gambo Bulama, the Coordinator of Local Government Areas for Borno State Agency for Coordination of Sustainable Development Partnership and Humanitarian Response made the appeal during an event organised to mark “End of Project Closeout Learning Review Workshop for “the Nigeria Acute Crisis Joint Response (Floods) project in Maiduguri at weekend.
He lamented that the pullout of USAID funding has affected humanitarian response in some critical sectors, including health, education, agriculture, livelihood, and humanitarian needs.
According to him, the recent floods water has worsened the situation, especially in the areas of water, hygiene, and sanitation (WASH).
Gambo said, ” USAID funding vacuum has left big blow in the humanitarian response. I can tell you that the state government can’t do it alone, we need massive support from donor agencies to attend the critical sectors like health, education and others.
He added, ” Last year flood disaster which affected four LGAs has compounded the situation. Our Governor is trying his best and the challenges is enormous and that’s why I am appealing to the donors and development partners to support us,”
Gambo appealed to donors not to deter in their support, saying conflict affected communities are in dire need of assistance.
Speaking at the event, Tafuko Tabwassah, Humanitarian Coordinator, (CRUDAN), noted that September 12 flood disaster had a devastating effect which birthed the intervention to provide non-food such as WASH items, and cash support for 25,228 people as well as rehabilitation of water supply facilities.
He explained that the events mark the End of Project Closeout Learning Review Workshop for “the Nigeria Acute Crisis Joint Response (Floods) project” which provided clean water, essential non items (NFIs), and cash assistance to vulnerable families during last year’s floods incident in Maiduguri and its environs.
Also, Hasidu Bala, Program Coordinator
CATAI, said the intervention was funded by the Dutch Relief Alliance supported by Oxfam in Nigeria, and implemented by the Christian Rural and Urban Development (CRUDAN) and Center for Advocacy and Accountability Initiative (CATAI).
