…..Pushes for Youth Empowerment, Climate Resilience
By: Babagana Bukar Wakil, Maiduguri
Plan International Maiduguri, Nigeria has joined the global community to commemorate World Humanitarian Day 2025 with a strong appeal for renewed international solidarity and greater support for local communities affected by conflict and climate disasters.
The event, held in Maiduguri under the global theme “Strengthening Global Solidarity and Empowering Local Communities,” brought together key stakeholders including humanitarian partners, government agencies, youth advocates, and community leaders to honour the sacrifices of aid workers and highlight the need for community-driven solutions.
World Humanitarian Day is observed annually on August 19 to honour the memory of the 22 aid workers who lost their lives in the 2003 UN headquarters bombing in Baghdad. This year comes amid growing risks for aid workers globally, with more than 150 humanitarian personnel reportedly killed in crisis zones in 2025 alone.
The Country Director of Plan International Nigeria in a statement emphasized that the organisation remains committed to delivering life-saving support to vulnerable groups, with particular focus on girls and children in the Northeast. He stressed that climate change, conflict, and displacement continue to threaten millions of lives, underscoring the importance of collaborative action and adequate funding.
The commemorative ceremony featured a keynote address by Amb. D.G. Borno Agency for Great Green World Amb Usman Aliyu titled “Climate Action as a Humanitarian Responsibility,” which linked environmental sustainability with humanitarian response efforts. A symbolic tree-planting exercise was carried out in partnership with the Borno State Agency for Garbage and Greening the World (BSAGGW) to promote green recovery and climate resilience.
Plan International Nigeria noted that World Humanitarian Day not only honours humanitarian workers but also raises awareness on the continued crises in conflict-affected regions. The organisation used the occasion to spotlight the impact of funding cuts on humanitarian programmes and called for increased investment in climate-resilient development.
Deepen understanding of the link between climate action and humanitarian response; Strengthen collaboration with government partners, particularly BSAGGW; Amplify Plan International’s humanitarian and climate action initiatives.
The programme concluded with participants emphasizing the need for continuous support from both government and international donors to ensure that humanitarian assistance and long-term development reach those most affected.
Dr Helen Mfon-Obong Idiong, Director of Programme Quality and Influencing with Plan International Nigeria, said the theme for this year ACT for Humanity: Strengthening Global Collaboration, Integrating and Empowering Communities is very appropriate, particularly in a year where humanitarian workers continue to face deliberate targeting and funding has drastically declined.
She said despite the numerous crises globally, the needs of vulnerable populations have not reduced, emphasizing the importance of raising awareness: “We must use this day to let the world know that humanitarian crises are far from over. The more people understand, the more solidarity and support we can get to act for humanity. With collective effort, we hope that in the coming years these crises may reduce and there will be more funding to help those truly in need.”
Assessing the humanitarian response in Borno State, Dr. Idiong noted both progress and setbacks: “A lot has been done to help communities, but much more still needs to be done and that requires funding. Sadly, many organizations have already pulled out because of funding cuts. This should be the time for government to truly step up. Humanitarian organisations should be supporting government, not the other way around.”
On the impact of funding cuts, she observed: “For example, under the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, nutrition alone originally targeted five million people across the Northeast. Now, due to funding cuts, only about two million will be reached. Health facilities are closing, and up to 70% of those who should have received support next year will likely get no help at all.”
Dr. Idiong made a passionate appeal: “My first appeal is to the government, both federal and state, to prioritise the needs of the poor and vulnerable. I then appeal to international and humanitarian organisations to continue supporting Nigeria. Yes, we are transitioning toward durable solutions, but without security, nothing will be sustained. Communities cannot thrive or maintain interventions if insecurity persists.”
She concluded: “Please continue to support Nigeria with funding and resources so that we can overcome this crisis together.”
The Head of Humanitarian Programmes at Plan International in Borno State, Emmanuel Nuhu, has called for stronger global solidarity with communities affected by conflicts, disasters and displacement across the world.
Speaking in Maiduguri as part of activities to mark World Humanitarian Day, Nuhu said this year’s theme underscores the need to stand with people currently experiencing crises in different regions. He noted that many aid workers continue to face serious risks and some have paid the supreme price while serving humanity.
According to him, humanitarian organisations are presently grappling with significant challenges including questions around legitimacy and dwindling funding. He said although Plan International has not been directly hit by the recent funding cuts, the organisation still feels the impact indirectly through partner organisations and portfolio managers whose operations are affected by depleted donor resources.
Nuhu expressed concern that more donor agencies across the world are reducing or withdrawing their commitments, thereby reducing the overall resources available for humanitarian response.
On the alarming rate of severe acute malnutrition in Borno communities such as Dikwa, Kala-Balge and Gamboru-Ngala, the Plan International humanitarian head stressed that malnutrition has multiple dimensions. While the immediate causes are disease and poor dietary intake, other underlying and basic causes include food insecurity, limited access to healthcare, displacement, insecurity and poor maternal care.
He emphasised that tackling malnutrition requires a holistic approach that addresses not only the symptoms but also the root causes such as conflict, displacement, poor human capital development and inadequate support systems.
Nuhu reiterated the need for humanitarian agencies and INGOs to focus on both immediate life-saving interventions and long-term, sustainable solutions that combat the basic triggers of malnutrition across the state.
The Youth Engagement and Sexual Reproductive Health Rights Officer with Plan International in Maiduguri, Ms. Ruth Ishaya, says World Humanitarian Day serves as a moment of deep reflection on the impact of humanitarian work and the sacrifices made by aid workers globally.
According to her, the day highlights both the progress made in touching lives through humanitarian interventions and the need to remember those who lost their lives while serving others. She described it as a time to evaluate achievements, challenges and how best to continue serving affected communities with greater impact.
Ms. Ishaya emphasized that young people remain the backbone of the society, noting that Plan International is a youth and girl-centered organization. She said youths can be powerful drivers of change when properly engaged, but if left unguided, they can also become tools for negative influence. She explained that involving young people actively in every stage of project implementation helps to make them champions of change in their communities.
Speaking on Plan International’s specific support to youth under the BMZ project, she noted that the organization has established Livelihood Incubation Centres in Kaleri (Mafa LGA) and Damboa where youths are trained in vocational skills, good agricultural practices, functional literacy, numeracy, and life skills. She added that beneficiaries also receive start-up capital and mentorship to help them establish small businesses.
In addition, Plan International has offered cash and voucher assistance to over 600 beneficiaries to boost food security in the community. “So far, under this project, we have supported over 240 youths directly with skills and start-up support,” she stated.
She reaffirmed that youth engagement remains a central pillar of Plan’s interventions in Maiduguri and across Borno State as part of efforts to build a more resilient and empowered society.
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