Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, in collaboration with the Nigeria Humanitarian Action (NIHA), has commemorated the 2026 World Humanitarian Day with the theme: “Strengthening Global Solidarity and Empowering Local Communities” This was contained in a statement signed by Janet McDickson Noah, Director, Information and Public Relations.
Delivering the keynote address at the event on Wednesday, 19th August, 2026 at Abuja Continental Hotel, the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro,
appreciated all Humanitarian workers in Nigeria pointing out that, their services are appreciated by all Nigerians. Thus, he encourages them to continue on the part of human services.
He pointed out that, every vulnerable Nigerian should know that, the Government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR stands with them through his Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said that the Ministry was committed to building a humanitarian coordination system that is nationally driven, professionally managed, locally responsive and financially sustainable, with seamless collaboration among Federal, State and Local Governments, Development partners, civil society, Academia, faith-based organisations and the private sector.
Dr. Doro highlighted the Ministry’s One Humanitarian, One Poverty Response System (OHOPRS ) as a key National coordination framework designed to reduce duplication, strengthen institutional collaboration, promote data-driven decision-making and integrate humanitarian assistance with recovery, resilience, social protection and poverty reduction.
The Minister also called for greater investment in the welfare, professional development, remuneration and incentives of humanitarian personnel, stressing that a motivated workforce remains critical to an effective humanitarian system.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Ministry to building a Nigeria where disasters do not translate into hopelessness, humanitarian response is efficiently and nationally coordinated and no child goes to bed hungry because assistance failed to reach those in need.
Dr Doro said the theme for this year’s commemoration is not just a slogan but an instruction, it tells us that solidarity without local strength is charity that cannot outlast the crisis that provoke it. Adding that, local strength without solidarity is a burden no community should have to carry alone.
He pointed out that our task as a nation is to hold both together, to receive the world’s partnership with gratitude while building communities strong enough to stand on their own.
He appreciated the UN system and all development partners, donors, governments and all Humanitarian organisations for standing with Nigerians. He said, the transition from a predominantly UN-cordinated Humanitarian architecture to a Government – led coordination system is not an administrative adjustment, it is a strategic investment in our resilience, sovereignty and long term sustainability. He said, the federal ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction stands ready to lead the transition.
The honourable minister said Nigeria must accelerate the implementation of the national Humanitarian Poverty Reduction Trust Fund to secure domestic financing Humanitarian interventions. He called for stronger domestic investment in humanitarian action through predictable budgetary allocations, innovative financing mechanism and enhanced private sector participation, philanthropic contributions and strengthened partnership with state governments.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, said , the origin of the day is solemn and significant. Pointing out that on August 19, 2003 a bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq claimed the lives of 22 people including the UN special representative for Iraq Sergio Viera de Mellon in 2008. Hence, the UNGA designated 19-08 as World Humanitarian day with the first global observation held in 2009.
He said the ministry remains commited to strengthening the link between Humanitarian action, poverty reduction social protection and sustainable development while keeping the affected people at the centre of interventions.
The representative of the Nigeria Humanitarian Action (NIHA), Board Chairman, Engr. Morgan Okwoche in his message appreciated the partnership with the ministry and called for stronger collaboration for the cause of Humanitarian services
The event also featured goodwill messages from the Federal Commissioner, the Nigerian Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Mr. Aliyu Tijani, representatives from the National Population Commission, Nigeria Police Force, Zamfara State Government.
Goodwill messages equally from the Country Director, International NGOs, Mr. Ndubuisi Anyanwu, ECOWAS Commission amongst others.
The celebration featured musical performances by OG Abbah Mohammed Abubakar an IDPs star artist and other cultural performance from the IDPs.
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