Attachments
OVERALL PROGRESS
Context
In 2023, Nigeria held its general elections that took place in all the states including the Federal Capital Territory. The general elections created hurdles for humanitarian programme implementation in Nigeria. In several areas of the country, pre-election violence and protests took place which raised serious concerns about the implementation of humanitarian activities. Prior to the general elections, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) redesigned the Nigerian currency and issued a cash policy that placed a limit on cash withdrawal by individuals, private and corporate organizations. The old currency notes were swapped with new ones and the limited amount of the new currency were made available for the banks for dispensing. This created tremendous problems for businesses in Nigeria and affected its economic activities, leading to demonstrations against the government’s decision. The implications of this decision on humanitarian interventions were huge, affecting core areas such as cash and voucher distribution.
Nigeria has also dealt with difficulties issuing from the COVID-19 pandemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that COVID-19 was no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Alongside the pandemic, Nigeria experienced an alarming spike in Diphtheria cases in 2022 , which grew from the initial figure of 136 in the first week of its discovery to 253 by the fourth week. New surge of the disease was also reported by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) which affected children between the ages of 5 and 18. The Federal Capital Territory also reported cases of Diphtheria due to its size and diverse population, active economic activity, large and clustered communities, sheltered housing areas, and high population.
Climate change poses increasing threat for Nigeria. Food shortage, aggravated public health risks, poverty and migration are triggered by climate irregularities such as the patterns of rainfall leading to floods. The country is reeling from the impact of the 2022 Nigeria floods, which is believed to be the worst flood the country has experienced in at least a decade, with a widespread impact in 33 of the country’s 36 states. The floods which have now receded in most of the states damaged homes and infrastructure, destroyed farmland and displaced people from their communities.
Key achievements
Climate and environment
In 2023, the Nigerian Red Cross Society advanced its climate and environment objectives by training staff in weather forecasting and collaborating with key agencies to validate climate risk assessments and develop a national climate strategy. The National Society secured an agreement with the International Development Research Centre and the University of Hamburg for a climate action project aimed at overcoming barriers to anticipatory disaster management. The National Society also launched a locally-led adaptation project to expand community engagement and accountability (CEA) and protection, gender and inclusion (PGI) into its climate initiatives.
Disasters and crises
The Nigerian Red Cross Society, in 2023, implemented a shock response social protection project in Kaduna State, providing cash and voucher assistance (CVA) to flood-affected beneficiaries. The National Society also conducted Preparedness for Effectiveness Response (PER) training in Nairobi, Kenya, enhancing its understanding and application of the PER approach for both short and mid-term objectives. The National Society developed a simplified early action protocol (SEAP) for floods, designed to cover 12 states and the Federal Capital Territory, strengthening its capacity for anticipatory action in disaster management. With the support of the IFRC Disaster Emergency Response Fund (IFRCDREF) and the Emergency Appeal, the National Society undertook various initiatives to address humanitarian needs in the country.
Health and wellbeing
In 2023, the Nigerian Red Cross Society undertook extensive health and nutrition activities, focusing on households, caregivers and children. The National Society played a key role in the national vaccination efforts against the diphtheria outbreak. Volunteers were deployed for house-to-house active case searches and contact tracing in collaboration with health facilities. The National Society also conducted a vaccination campaign for Non-Polio Supplementary Immunization Activities. The Nigerian Red Cross Society also provided water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services to complement improvements to health and wellbeing across the country.
Migration and displacement
The Nigerian Red Cross Society advanced its migration initiatives by signing an agreement with the Italian Red Cross for the second phase of the National Society’s migration project. In 2023, the National Society participated in a planning meeting and attended the West Africa regional focal points workshop in Senegal. Additionally, the National Society conducted advocacy visits to the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons to introduce the Phase 2 project.
Values, power and inclusion
In 2023, the Nigerian Red Cross Society focused on strengthening protection, gender and inclusion (PGI) within its operations by fostering greater community involvement and ownership. The National Society developed key messages in indigenous languages to raise awareness on public health emergencies, including COVID-19 vaccination, measles, diphtheria and flooding. It also conducted capacity building across its branches on feedback mechanisms, enhancing the collection and use of community feedback. The National Society updated referral pathways for protection issues, strengthened partnerships with communities and stakeholders, and integrated community engagement and accountability (CEA) within its branches.
Enabling local actors
The Nigerian Red Cross Society, in 2023, made progress in project management, humanitarian diplomacy, digital transformation and safeguarding. The National Society enhanced staff capacity through training in programme and financial management, secured the IFRC Capacity Building Fund (CBF) and launched initiatives to engage youth in climate action. The National Society also focused on governance by conducting inductions for newly elected board members and youth executives, and improved volunteer management and internal processes through various capacity-building activities. It reinforced safeguarding practices through refresher training sessions. Humanitarian diplomacy efforts were bolstered through strategic engagements, including media outreach, diplomatic visits and participation in key sectoral events. Additionally, the National Society advanced its digital maturity with a comprehensive digital transformation workshop and developed a draft roadmap for future improvements.