The development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC), has urged the federal government to develop a national framework to monitor and evaluate all humanitarian interventions. According to dRPC, such a framework is vital to harmonize efforts and achieve collective poverty reduction across Nigeria.

Coordinated Action Needed
In a memorandum submitted at the maiden National Council on Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction in Calabar, dRPC Executive Director Dr Judith-Ann Walker challenged the council to create a framework that aligns all humanitarian efforts with the Central Delivery Coordination Unit established in 2022.

“Humanitarian interventions vary from state to state, making coordinated monitoring and evaluation a challenge.” –  Dr Judith-Ann Walker, dRPC Executive Director

The memorandum emphasized harmonizing indicators, goals, objectives, timelines, and points of synergy between federal and subnational levels, ensuring clear objectives to track outcomes like beneficiary reach, service quality, and impact on vulnerable groups.

Council Outcomes and Government Commitment
The maiden council received 99 memoranda: 37 were approved, 19 merged, 25 stepped down, and others had no recommendations.

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to lifting Nigerians out of poverty and stressed the need for a multi-stakeholder, unified approach. The government has already provided conditional cash transfers to over 34 million vulnerable Nigerians, targeting 50 million by year-end.

“No single institution or government can resolve Nigeria’s humanitarian challenges alone.” – Dr Bernard Doro, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs

In his speech, the Minister of state for Humanitarian affairs, Dr Tanko Sununu disclosed that humanitarian challenges must be embraced with collective efforts in view of the global dynamics that have changed the way interventions are approached.

Support from Subnational Governments
Cross River State Governor, Prince Bassey Otu, represented by his Deputy, commended the federal government for hosting the council in Calabar and pledged continued support for poverty reduction and the mitigation of challenges facing border communities and displaced persons.