The Nigerian Federal Government is set to establish a Presidential Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund, according to Dr. Betta Edu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. The announcement was made during a meeting with Jeremie Zoungrana, the Country Director of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
This trust fund is part of the government’s efforts to address poverty and humanitarian crises affecting over 133 million Nigerians. Dr. Edu highlighted the challenges posed by natural disasters, security issues, and unrest in various regions of the country, emphasizing the need for support to tackle these issues.
She stated, “We have a huge task on our hands. As we speak now, over 16 million Nigerians are affected by humanitarian crises, either man-made or natural disasters.” She also mentioned challenges related to refugees from neighboring countries and the impact of natural disasters like flooding and dam releases.
The establishment of the Presidential Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund reflects the government’s commitment to addressing poverty and humanitarian concerns in Nigeria. It is expected that this fund will play a crucial role in providing assistance and support to vulnerable populations in the country.
