The UN and partners deliver anticipatory actions ahead of floods in Nigeria

The United Nations has released 7 million US dollars to act ahead of floods in Nigeria. The funding, provided by the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund, will enable partners to assist up to 350,000 people before severe floods hit.  

A series of anticipatory actions are now being undertaken in at-risk areas along Benue River, Adamawa State, in northeast Nigeria. These include: 

• cash transfers, with more than 50 per cent of the total funds being used for this 
• healthcare and protection services 
• water, sanitation and hygiene services 
• shelter support, along with camp coordination and management services 
• agricultural support 
• early warning messages. 

Activating the framework for floods 

Earlier in 2025, the government and humanitarian partners in Nigeria launched a collective anticipatory action framework for floods, supported by the CERF and the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund, as part of ongoing efforts to act ahead of floods in central and western Africa.  

The thresholds for acting, as set out in the framework, were reached on 7 September 2025, with the government’s hydrological and meteorological agencies confirming the flood forecasts. This triggered the release of the funds, which comprises 5 million US dollars from the CERF and 2 million US dollars from the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund. 

The activation is now being facilitated by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) under the leadership of the Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator, and in partnership with the government of Nigeria and humanitarian partners. The allocation from the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund is being used solely by national non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the Nigerian Red Cross Society.  

Other international NGOs, including Save the Children, have also triggered their own anticipatory action frameworks and are providing coordinated assistance to at-risk communities in the country.