By Beyza Binnur Donmez
GENEVA (AA) - The UN humanitarian office on Friday launched an appeal for Nigeria asking for $910 million in funding with an aim to reach 3.6 million people.
The appeal foccusses on the troubled north-eastern states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe where conflict, climate shocks and economic instability are exacting a heavy toll on civilians, Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), told a UN briefing in Geneva.
"This year, we and our partners aim to reach a total of 3.6 million people in the north-east with health services; food; water, sanitation and hygiene; nutrition for children; protection; education and other vital support," Laerke said.
Underlining that the agency prioritized efficiency in aid delivery as global funding has been declining and said that this includes reducing transaction costs by funding more directly those delivering assistance locally and shifting to cash and voucher assistance where possible.
It also includes, he said, anticipatory actions to mitigate impact of events such as floods and disease outbreaks.