UN Allocates $5M from CERF for Anticipatory Flood Response in Nigeria, Calls for Increased Funding Amid Rising Risks

The funds will be triggered if forecasts indicate a major flood emergency, aiming to mitigate impacts and protect vulnerable communities.

The United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, has pre-arranged US$5 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to support an anticipatory action initiative for floods in Nigeria. The funds will be triggered if forecasts indicate a major flood emergency, aiming to mitigate impacts and protect vulnerable communities.

The announcement was made by the Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, emphasizing the importance of early action based on strong risk analysis. "Anticipating and acting ahead of crises such as floods saves lives and livelihoods, reducing overall vulnerability," said Mr. Fall. He stressed that in an era of shrinking humanitarian budgets, proactive measures not only minimize the worst impacts but also lower the overall cost of emergency responses.

This $5 million CERF allocation complements efforts by the Nigerian Government-led anticipatory action taskforce. The taskforce, steered by the Office of the Vice-President, includes key agencies such as the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, and the National Emergency Management Agency, in partnership with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

The initiative builds on previous responses, including CERF’s $5 million allocation in October 2024, which scaled up flood relief efforts in Borno, Bauchi, and Sokoto states, assisting over 400,000 displaced people and supporting the recovery of livelihoods destroyed by floods.

According to NiMET’s 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction, the rainy season in northern states including Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara, is expected to begin between early June and July 2025. This period coincides with the lean season, when food insecurity and cholera outbreaks are prevalent, underscoring the urgency of preemptive assistance.

The 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) for Nigeria outlines a risk-informed approach, allocating $45 million (5% of total requirements) for anticipatory action out of a $910 million target. However, the CERF’s contribution covers only 11% of the anticipatory funding need, highlighting the urgent requirement for additional resources to scale up early action and reduce disaster impacts.

Humanitarian partners and donors are urged to increase their support to ensure timely interventions and help vulnerable communities withstand the impacts of anticipated floods in 2025.