The United Nations Children’s Fund has lamented a funding shortfall, while calling on Nigerians to get involved in local humanitarian efforts through donations, volunteering and advocacy following the recent cut of funding by the US government

The UNICEF Chief of Maiduguri Field Office, Francis Butich, who made the call on Monday in Maiduguri in commemoration of 2025 World Humanitarian Day, noted that the needs are much greater, with many communities affected by floods and diminished services in IDP camps in the North East.

According to him, of the 255 million dollars needed for humanitarian operations in 2025, the organisation has only received 95 million dollars, leaving a significant gap of 160 million dollars, marking a 67 per cent gap

He said, “We are all aware of the global funding cut that has threatened humanitarian operations across the world. The impact is profoundly crushing at the local level, where conflict, climate change and disease outbreaks are recurrent”

“Of the US$255 million needed for humanitarian operations in 2025, UNICEF received US$95 million, leaving a US$160 million gap (67 per cent) and a critical shortfall across sectors”

“UNICEF calls on all of us to get involved in local humanitarian efforts, whether through donations, volunteering, or advocacy. The needs are many, communities are affected by floods, diminished services in IDP camps, to name but a few,” he said.

The UNICEF boss noted that despite the funding cut, it has reached over 1.3 million people with health services and treated 340,000 children for severe malnutrition through multisectoral intervention in the North East

“UNICEF also provided safe water for 185,000 people and enrolled 500,000 displaced children in education within the period,” he said.

Francis called on donors, the private sector and the government to support humanitarian efforts by increasing funding to local government and Civil Society Organisations.

“UNICEF calls on donors, the private sector and the state and federal government to increase funding to LGAs and the CSOs that support life-saving nutrition, immunisation, health and protection services for conflict, flood and displaced communities in north east Nigeria,” he stated

“UNICEF calls on all to share this information about the importance of humanitarian work and challenges faced by those on the frontlines. Use social media, blogs, or community events to share information about the importance of humanitarian work and challenges faced by those in need,” he added.