CSO urges creation of humanitarian fund for IDPs

The Civil Society Budget Implementation Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation Committee (CBIAMEC) has called on the Federal Government to establish a dedicated Humanitarian Relief, Recovery, and Reintegration Fund (HRRRF) to support the growing number of displaced persons across Nigeria. Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday in Abuja, the committee said Nigeria is facing “one of […]

The Civil Society Budget Implementation Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation Committee (CBIAMEC) has called on the Federal Government to establish a dedicated Humanitarian Relief, Recovery, and Reintegration Fund (HRRRF) to support the growing number of displaced persons across Nigeria.

Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday in Abuja, the committee said Nigeria is facing “one of the most complex humanitarian situations in our history,” citing violent conflicts, terrorism, farmer-herder clashes, and natural disasters as key drivers of displacement.

“Behind every statistic is a human life—a child without school, a mother without shelter, a father without livelihood,” said Amb. Agbonkpolor Splendour, who spoke on behalf of the committee.

He noted that the scale of the crisis has overwhelmed the capacity of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), despite their efforts to provide shelter, food, and health interventions.

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“We, therefore, strongly call for the creation of a Humanitarian Relief, Recovery, and Reintegration Fund—a dedicated national pool of resources that will enable timely response, ensure proper coordination, and sustain long-term rehabilitation and reintegration efforts,” he said.

The committee urged the National Assembly to begin the legislative process to establish the Fund, stressing that it must be a permanent mechanism backed by law, transparency, and accountability.

It also called on state governments to contribute systematically, saying, “Each state will have both ownership and responsibility in addressing the crises within its jurisdiction.”

CBIAMEC commended NCFRMI and NEMA for their work under constrained conditions, adding, “If they can achieve so much with so little, then with increased and sustainable funding, they will do far more—reaching more people, restoring more dignity, and rebuilding more communities.”

“This is not just a budgetary issue; it is a moral obligation.”