UN Coordinator urges International support for Nigeria’s humanitarian challenges

Mr. Matthias Schmale, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, is calling for sustained assistance to address the ongoing humanitarian needs in northeastern Nigeria. Schmale conveyed this message during a press conference in New York, responding to inquiries from the UN correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

During his visit to Washington, DC, Schmale engaged in a comprehensive review of the opportunities and challenges linked to humanitarian relief, development, and peacebuilding. The UN envoy emphasized the importance of international support in closing the funding gap to address the critical humanitarian situation.

“I’ve spent two days with my colleague in the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Washington to try and drum up support to get the funding gap closed,” Schmale stated.

During his stay in New York for a Resident Coordinators retreat, Schmale met with key figures from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, civil society representatives, the media, the U.S. Institute of Peace, USAID, and the U.S. State Department.

Highlighting the dire humanitarian situation in northeastern Nigeria and its link to achieving Sustainable Development Goals and countering violent extremism, Schmale stressed the need for increased international collaboration.

He revealed that the organization would soon unveil its Humanitarian Response Plan 2024, prioritizing assistance for vulnerable girls and women while remaining realistic about funding trends. Schmale underscored the organization’s commitment to ensuring that 700,000 malnourished children receive the necessary food and protection, emphasizing efficient resource allocation for the upcoming year.

Credit: NAN