Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday announced that President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of a new Disaster Relief Fund to strengthen Nigeria’s humanitarian response system.

Mr Shettima made this known at the launch of the Humanitarian Supply Chain Management – Partnership for Localisation Project at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The vice president was represented by the deputy chief of staff to the president (office of the vice president), Ibrahim Hadejia.

Mr Shettima explained that the fund would provide immediate assistance to disaster victims nationwide and complement the broader localisation framework.

“Inaction is simply not an option, and the cost of failing to address these crises at their roots will be devastating.

“Localisation is not merely about placing local actors at the centre of humanitarian efforts; it is the key to a more inclusive, resilient future for Nigeria,” the VP said.

Mr Shettima said the initiative, which aligns with the Nigeria Localisation Framework, seeks to empower local actors and leverage local resources to address the country’s growing humanitarian needs.

He said climate change and global economic crises have deepened the nation’s complex humanitarian situation.

Earlier, Mohammed Ahmed, special assistant to the president on special duties, emergency and logistics (office of the vice-president), noted the importance of a collaborative approach to humanitarian aid.

“There is a need for a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. Government must be participatory and inclusive, ensuring that all voices from every segment of society are heard,” he explained.

Mr Ahmed further noted that the project would support Nigeria’s localisation framework, creating a platform to advance the agenda.

“We have a lot of work to do to meet Nigeria’s targets on this,” he added.

Also, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced that it has directed approximately 27 per cent of its funding to Nigerian-led organisations to move towards indigenous control of aid operations in the country.

USAID’s Acting Deputy Mission Director, Alexis Taylor-Granados, believes lasting change requires partnership and collaboration.

“We have redoubled our commitment to transferring leadership to local people and institutions who are best positioned to lead change within their own countries and communities,” he said.

(NAN)