Yobe Strengthens Humanitarian Leadership in Response to Global Funding Gaps

Yobe Strengthens Humanitarian Leadership in Response to Global Funding Gaps

By Mohammed Goje

Under the decisive leadership of His Excellency Governor Mai Mala Buni CON, Yobe State has reaffirmed its readiness to humanitarian action, local ownership, and long-term resilience despite global financial funding/constraints.

In a recent high-level engagement with Government, Mr Trond Jensen the Head of Office, OCHA-UN Nigeria while interacting with MDAs technical leads led by SEMA briefed the State Government on OCHA’s planned scale-down of physical presence in Damaturu. While OCHA adjusts globally, it will continue to support partners remotely ensuring continuity of humanitarian coordination in Yobe.

Mr Trond led UN-FAO, WFP-UN, UNFPA, WHO, UNHCR, UNDSS, IRC, ACF, SCI, NYCSO, Women led CSO and paid an audience visit to His Excellency Governor Mai Mala Buni CON were he Thank Governor Buni for leading from the front, aligning Yobe’s strategy with the global reset agenda, emphasizing efficiency, preparedness, and durable solutions.

Mr Trond said this is clearly evidenced by the:

1. Launch of the ₦2.1 trillion Yobe State Action Plan on Solutions to Internal Displacement—targeting 2.8 million people.
2. Allocation of 5% of the state budget to durable solutions, supported by a high-level steering committee overseeing sustainable reintegration of over 510,000 internally displaced persons.
3. Expansion of state-led initiatives like agricultural revitalization and the Ministry of Wealth Creation to close critical humanitarian gaps in food security and livelihoods.
4. Legislative advances including the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act and Child Protection Law, stressing the state’s dedication to vulnerable groups amongst others.

The 2024 flooding impact, affecting over 68,000 people, and continued conflict-driven displacements in areas like Geidam and Gujba, further highlight the urgency of Yobe’s strategic approach. The State is strengthening early warning systems, investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, and partnering with the World Bank to enhance recovery and social cohesion.

While acknowledging the funding shortfalls affecting humanitarian efforts globally, In His Brief remark Governor Buni emphasized the importance of continued presence of humanitarian organizations in the state and called for greater alignment with global humanitarian priorities. Yobe stands ready to lead and will take this funding gap as a renewed challenge to restrategise its reaponse to the vulnerable populations.

His Excelency further said, in Yobe we have prioritised massive investement in rebuilding communities affected by conflict and returning our displcaed people home with diginity, ensuring they have access to farmlands and also means of livelihood, with road infrasteucture, Health facilities, schools and other punlic buildings available and accesible in thier rcommunities.

His Excellency added that —with UN and other key partners continued technical support, Yobe will continue to forge a path forward rooted in localization, resilience, and accountability ensuring no one is left behind.