UN Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator visits PCNI, seeks Greater Collaboration

The Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria and representative of the United Nations System in Nigeria, Peter Lundberg has paid a courtesy call on the Presidential Committee on the North East Initiative. He was received by the PCNI Vice Chairman Mr. Tijjani Tumsah at the PCNI head office in Abuja. While welcoming Lundberg, Tumsah praised the UN system in Nigeria for its various roles in providing succour to the millions of IDPs in the North East and the Lake Chad region. He also referenced the Oslo Humanitarian Conference on the North East and Lake Chad region and the efforts to raise $1 billion to address the 2017 Humanitarian Response Plan. He used the occasion to explain the PCNI’s mandate, the Buhari Plan, and the PCNI’s working relationship with other government ministries, departments and agencies, international non-governmental organizations, state governments and other actors.

In his response, Lundberg expressed his appreciation of the efforts of the PCNI to step up its coordinating role in the North East region. He also highlighted the increased tempo of UN humanitarian operations in Nigeria with 2.1 million people receiving monthly food assistance and the enhancement of food security interventions through the distribution of seeds, tools and fertilizers. He solicited the assistance of the PCNI in ensuring the seamless cooperation of INGOs to enhance their work in Nigeria.