Lake Chad donor push will not end humanitarian crisis

Subject

Lake Chad humanitarian crisis.

Significance

International donors in Berlin on September 6 pledged 2.17 billion dollars for the reconstruction of the Lake Chad region (north-eastern Nigeria, south-eastern Niger, south-western Chad and northern Cameroon), areas ravaged by Boko Haram since 2009. The sizable pledges reflect deep concern that regional elites, particularly in Nigeria, are not doing enough to protect fragile gains and address a worsening Boko Haram crisis.

Impacts

• Nigerian officials’ reluctance to engage outside partners will inhibit inter-governmental and inter-agency coordination.
• Despite donors’ best efforts, new donations will likely incentivise further corruption by the government, military and domestic NGOs.
• Sizable parts of north-eastern Nigeria will remain inaccessible to NGOs, undermining the effectiveness of donations.