The federal government on Wednesday expressed commitment to ensure effective coordination and formulation of policies to ease humanitarian operations in Nigeria.

The humanitarian affairs ministry’s permanent secretary, Nasir Gwarzo, said this at the 6th National Humanitarian Coordination Technical Working Group (NHCTWG) opening ceremony in Abuja.

Mr Gwarzo said the NHCTWG, being a multi-sectorial and multi-stakeholder committee, has contributed immensely to developing operational strategies and plans towards enhancing humanitarian response in Nigeria.

He said the documents include the National Humanitarian Peace Development Plan (NHPDP), National Action Plan for the implementation of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and National Cash Voucher Assistance Policy (NCVAP).

“It is important to note that the development of these blueprints was achieved through opinions and guidance provided by members of the National Humanitarian Coordination Technical Working Group during its meetings and subsequent consultations with various stakeholders,” the government official explained.

Mr Gwarzo assured the participants of their determination to ensure that the documents were approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) before the expiration of President Buhari`s tenure once the NHCTWG validated it.

“We have no doubt that the finalisation of these strategic blueprints will be an innovation that will shape humanitarian operations in Nigeria towards peace and development,“ the permanent secretary assured.

The representative of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Esty Sutoyo, said the strategic documents, when fully ratified and implemented, would provide a unique guideline and support for the smooth operations of humanitarian services.

“The National Policy on IDPs aims to strengthen institutional mechanisms and frameworks to realise the rights, dignity, and wellbeing of vulnerable people across all phases of displacement, and the Action Plan will contribute to achieving these objectives and support the implementation of the policy on IDPs,” stated Mr Sutoyo.

The representative added the final National Cash and Voucher Assistance policy would significantly help to strengthen cash programming and coordination for the overall growth and benefit of the people into productive members of society.

“We must act now to ensure that vulnerable people get the much-needed lifesaving support they need to prevent and mitigate further deterioration of food security,“ Mr Sutoyo said.

(NAN)