The funds will be provided through the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and other organizations. The aid package will be used to support “critical life-saving areas,” including water and sanitation, nutrition and security, as well as supporting technical expertise in the Nigerian government.
The United Kingdom will provide up to £32 million to Nigeria over the next three years to help deliver basic humanitarian needs to people in the northeast region of the country, according to Joe Abuku, the Press Officer for the British High Commission.
The funds will be provided through the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and other organizations. The aid package will be used to support “critical life-saving areas,” including water and sanitation, nutrition and security, as well as supporting technical expertise in the Nigerian government.
In a press statement, UK Minister for International Development Nick Hurd said, “The UK is committed to continuing to help Nigeria to provide humanitarian assistance and protection for people affected by the conflict in north east Nigeria. We welcome Nigeria’s efforts to support the affected population. We look forward to continuing to work with all partners to strengthen the humanitarian effort to reach the most vulnerable, many of whom are in areas that are difficult to access.”
He added that the UK government would provide £16.7 million to Nigeria’s solar energy industry as part of the UK-sponsored Solar Nigeria Program. Since its launch in 2014, the program has supported access to solar energy for more than 130,000 Nigerians and has supported improvements in healthcare and education for 185,000 people in Lagos. The goal of the program is to improve household energy access across the country while simultaneously reducing carbon emissions.
The £32 million aid package is a part of the UK’s £222 million per year program in Nigeria aimed at improving health and education systems, fighting malnutrition, improving governance, removing barriers to growth, and helping Nigeria better utilize its own resources. Over 60 percent of the program is targeted towards northern Nigeria where the needs are the greatest.