The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has announced that it received $181,646,993 in contributions by May 31, 2024, to support its operations in Nigeria and other countries across West and Central Africa. The funding, led by the United States, the European Union, and Britain, among others, constitutes 16% of the UNHCR’s $1.115 billion financial requirement for 2024.
Key Funding Details:
- Total Funds Received: $181,646,993 as of May 2024.
- Percentage of Financial Requirements Met: 16% of the UNHCR’s $1.115 billion financial requirement for 2024.
- Contributors: United States, European Union, Britain, and over 19 other contributors.
Regional Instability and Displacement:
The UNHCR’s report, “UNHCR Projected Global Resettlement Needs 2025,” underscores ongoing challenges in the West and Central Africa (WCA) region due to political instability and escalating armed conflicts, which are primary drivers of displacement.
Displaced Population as of January 2024:
- Total Forcibly Displaced Persons: 13.4 million
- Refugees and Asylum-Seekers: 2.3 million
- Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs): 7.9 million
Factors Exacerbating Humanitarian Needs:
- Resource Competition: Intensified competition for limited resources, often exacerbated by climate change.
- Poverty and Inflation: Economic factors exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Significant Increase in Displacement:
The report indicates a 41% surge in the refugee and asylum-seeker population in the region compared to 2023, largely driven by conflict-induced displacement in Sudan.
Nigeria’s Resettlement Needs:
In Nigeria, the UNHCR foresees that 1,200 refugees will require resettlement in 2025, primarily from Cameroon, displaced by the secessionist conflict in the Northwest and Southwest regions. This conflict has led nearly 65,000 people to seek refuge in Southeast Nigeria.
Importance of Continued Funding:
The UNHCR underscores the critical need for ongoing funding, highlighting resettlement as a crucial, often life-saving, protection tool integrated into the agency’s strategies across the region.
The National Commission for Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) previously reported over 6.1 million Nigerians displaced due to insecurity and natural disasters. This includes 3 million displaced persons as of 2022, with additional displacements attributed to floods and other natural disasters.
The substantial funding received by the UNHCR emphasizes the imperative support required to address the intricate humanitarian challenges in West and Central Africa. Sustained efforts and funding are essential to manage the escalating displacement and provide necessary protection and assistance to affected populations.