The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, has released US$5 million from the Central Emergency Fund (CERF) for anticipatory action to mitigate the impact of potential floods in Nigeria.

This is contained in a statement issued by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Wednesday, February 12, 2025.

According to the statement, this was announced by the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, who emphasised the importance of proactive measures.

“Anticipating and acting ahead of crises such as floods saves lives. It also helps to protect people’s livelihoods, which in turn reduces their vulnerability,” Mr. Fall said.

The $5 million CERF allocation complements ongoing government-led efforts, with key agencies including the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, and the National Emergency Management Agency collaborating under the stewardship of the Office of the Vice-President.

“In a global landscape characterised by reducing funds for humanitarian action, this proactive approach is critical as it does not only reduce the worst impacts of emergencies, but it also helps to reduce the overall cost of the humanitarian response,” Mr. Fall added.

Globally, OCHA is spearheading anticipatory action, assisting millions of people by addressing hazards such as floods, droughts, storms, and cholera.

The statement also revealed that in October 2024, CERF released $5 million to scale up the flood response in Borno, Bauchi, and Sokoto states.

This complemented a $6 million allocation from the Nigerian Humanitarian Fund (NHF), which included $2 million for anticipatory action.

According to NiMET’s 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction forecast, the onset of the rainy season over northern states is anticipated between early June and July 2025. This period coincides with the lean season, increasing the risk of food insecurity and malnutrition.

Nigeria’s 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) has allocated 5 percent ($45 million) of total requirements ($910 million) for anticipatory action. However, more funding is urgently needed to scale up early action efforts.