IOM seeks increased funding as Nigeria faces $274m humanitarian financing gap

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has called for greater investment in long-term recovery and durable solutions for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria.

It warned that a significant funding shortfall is threatening humanitarian efforts and leaving millions of vulnerable people without adequate support.

The appeal comes as Nigeria’s 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) requires $516.4 million to provide life-saving assistance to 2.25 million people.

However, with a current funding deficit of $274.3 million, humanitarian agencies say the country risks falling short of meeting the growing needs of displaced populations unless investments in resilience and sustainable recovery are significantly increased.

Speaking during a meeting with senior government officials and donor partners in Abuja on Thursday, IOM stressed that humanitarian assistance alone is no longer sufficient as displacement becomes increasingly prolonged across several parts of the country.

The discussions followed a joint donor field mission to Adamawa and Benue states in May, where delegates interacted with displaced families, returnees and host communities, witnessing both the progress achieved through existing interventions and the enormous challenges that persist.

According to the organisation, Benue State has emerged as the epicentre of Nigeria’s displacement crisis, with more than 460,000 internally displaced persons forced from their homes due to recurring insecurity and violence. Many have lost not only their homes but also their livelihoods and access to essential services.

In Adamawa State, the situation also remains critical, with over 219,000 IDPs and nearly 932,500 returnees, highlighting the urgent need to support communities transitioning from emergency assistance to sustainable recovery.

IOM noted that similar humanitarian and recovery needs exist across Nigeria’s northeast, northwest and north-central states, where displaced people, returnees and host communities continue to struggle with rebuilding their lives.

The organisation said the Abuja meeting focused on identifying priority investments capable of accelerating durable solutions in displacement-affected communities.

“The first involves expanding integrated shelter programmes, improving access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), constructing climate-resilient community infrastructure, and deploying digital planning systems that enhance service delivery, coordination and accountability.

“The second priority focuses on creating sustainable economic opportunities through livelihood support, vocational skills training, financial inclusion initiatives and improved access to markets to reduce long-term dependence on humanitarian aid”, IOM said.

Sharon Dimanche, IOM Chief of Mission in Nigeria, said affected communities have continued to demonstrate remarkable resilience despite difficult circumstances but stressed that resilience alone cannot restore normalcy.

“Communities have shown remarkable resilience, but resilience alone cannot rebuild lives,” she said.

According to Dimanche, displaced families require safe housing, reliable access to basic social services and sustainable income opportunities if recovery efforts are to succeed.

She added that while the solutions to the displacement crisis are already known, what remains lacking is adequate financing.

“The solutions are well understood. What is needed now is greater, flexible and multi-year investment that bridges humanitarian action with recovery and long-term development,” she said.

She argued that every investment made in durable solutions today would reduce future humanitarian needs, strengthen community resilience and contribute to Nigeria’s broader development goals.

IOM identified Benue State as a strategic priority because of its importance as Nigeria’s food-producing hub and one of the states most severely affected by displacement.

Although the Benue State Government has introduced a Durable Solutions Action Plan (2025–2030) and a Peace Strategy (2026–2030), alongside land allocation for reintegration programmes and improved coordination mechanisms, the organization said substantial financing gaps remain.

Priority local government areas including Guma, Gwer West and Makurdi, among others, require expanded support for shelter construction, community infrastructure, water and sanitation facilities, livelihood programmes, agricultural value chains, protection services, social cohesion initiatives and strengthened local governance systems.

IOM also highlighted the need for greater investments targeting women and young people through expanded economic opportunities, improved primary healthcare services and enhanced data collection to guide evidence-based recovery planning.

In Adamawa, the organisation noted that rapid urbanisation driven by displacement continues to place enormous pressure on housing, water supply, sanitation, waste management and other public services.

The state, which is one of six Tier One beneficiaries under the World Bank-supported SOLID Project, is also grappling with climate-related challenges such as flooding and environmental degradation, while limited access to land, finance and markets continues to slow economic recovery, particularly for women and youth.

To address these challenges, IOM called on donor agencies and government partners to increase flexible, multi-year funding for integrated shelter projects, WASH services, climate-resilient infrastructure, digital planning systems and livelihood programmes.

The organisation also urged stronger government-led implementation of existing recovery frameworks, including the Adamawa State Action Plan, while encouraging investments in scalable initiatives that can be replicated across other displacement-affected states.

According to IOM, investing in durable solutions has become more than a humanitarian obligation, describing it as a critical investment in national resilience, stability and sustainable development as Nigeria continues to confront one of Africa’s largest displacement crises.