The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) announced it received $181,646,993 from various contributors by May 31, 2024, to support its operations in Nigeria and other countries across West and Central Africa. The funds come from significant contributors, including the United States, the European Union, and Britain, among others, with the U.S. leading the contributions.
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,” highlights ongoing challenges in the West and Central Africa (WCA) region, marked by political instability and escalating armed conflicts. These conflicts are the primary drivers of displacement in the region.
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
The report points out that Sudan, Central African Republic (CAR), Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali, Cameroon, and Chad are the largest sources of refugees, with Sudan alone accounting for 42% of the total refugee population.
Factors Exacerbating Humanitarian Needs:
– Resource Competition: Growing competition for scarce resources, often worsened by climate change.
– Poverty and Inflation: These economic factors compound the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Significant Increase in Displacement:
The report indicates a 41% increase 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 projects that 1,200 refugees will need resettlement in 2025. Most of these refugees are from Cameroon, displaced by the secessionist conflict in the Northwest and Southwest regions, which has forced nearly 65,000 people to seek refuge in Southeast Nigeria.
– Resettlement Profiles:
– Women and Girls at Risk
– Refugees with Medical Needs
– Survivors of Violence and Torture
– Persons with Legal and Physical Protection Needs
Importance of Continued Funding:
The UNHCR emphasizes that ongoing funding is crucial as resettlement remains a vital, often lifesaving, protection tool integrated into the agency’s protection strategies across the region.
Additional Context:
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 significant funding received by the UNHCR underscores the critical support needed to address the complex humanitarian challenges in West and Central Africa. Continuous efforts and funding are essential to manage the increasing displacement and provide necessary protection and assistance to affected populations.
