The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) has decided to shut down its operations in Nigeria.
This was revealed by Nigeria’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Professor Nentawe Goshwe, during a workshop in Abuja.
He said the UN’s Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mohamed Fall, informed him of the decision.
Professor Goshwe expressed concern over this development, especially given the ongoing issues of floods and insecurity that continue to affect many Nigerians, particularly in the Northeast.
He thanked UNOCHA for its efforts in the country but called the exit unfortunate given the serious humanitarian needs still present.
The decision is part of a larger global downsizing by the agency, which plans to cut about 20% of its workforce and reduce operations in nine countries, including Nigeria, due to a $60 million funding shortfall.
The agency has already been implementing cost-saving measures, such as a hiring freeze and travel restrictions, but these weren’t enough to close the funding gap.
Around 500 staff members are expected to be laid off globally.
UNOCHA says the cuts are a result of financial limitations, not a decrease in humanitarian need.
