Photo Credit: NIF / Moshood Raimi NIGERIA INGO FORUM

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1 Photo Credit: NIF / Moshood Raimi NIGERIA INGO FORUM Highlights in 2017

2 2 The year saw a large scale up of the humanitarian response in north-east Nigeria as the crisis received increased international, political and financial attention. This also had an impact on the Nigeria INGO Forum (NIF) which went through several critical changes during the year. Following a mid-year strategic review and recognising the need to have more coordination and information flow between Abuja and Maiduguri, the NIF began to adjust its way of working to become more effective in anticipating and responding to its members needs. The Secretariat increased its staff presence from three to seven full-time team members by the end of 2017, with two more staff coming on board in Membership increased up to 36 members and 6 observers. Through these changes, the NIF strengthened its engagement, advocacy and coordination; increased information sharing; and fostered partnerships with all actors, including the Government of Nigeria at all levels, the United Nations, national NGOs and donors. JANUARY: ADVOCACY FOR INCREASED PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS The year got off to a tragic start as the site for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Rann, Borno State, was mistakenly bombed by a Nigerian Air Force jet leading to the death of at least 54 persons, including aid workers. Recognising the need to increase the protection of civilians, the NIF contributed to national and international advocacy to put mechanisms in place to ensure something like that did not happen again. FEBRUARY: ADVOCACY FOR INCREASED FUNDING The first ever international Humanitarian Conference on Nigeria and the Lake Chad region took place in Oslo, Norway. As a result of the conference $672 million was pledged for The Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF) was also launched. The NIF in collaboration with active INGOs and NGOs led the development of the paper Seven steps to saving lives and assisting people in Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin. 22 INGOs and NGOs signed on highlighting the urgent and immediate gaps and needs of affected populations which in turn influenced programme funding decisions. MARCH: THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL S RESOLUTION The UN Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2349, condemning attacks on civilians, violations of international humanitarian law and abuses of human rights by nonstate armed groups in the Lake Chad Basin. The NIF advocated through the Security Council on the protection of civilians and, more specifically, on the protection concerns related to the increased number of girls used as Person Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (PBIED) in the conflict. APRIL: ADVOCACY FOR DIGNIFIED, VOLUNTARY AND SAFE RETURNS Major concerns started to arise in April around the increased number of Nigerian refugees coming back to Nigeria from Cameroon. Reports highlighted that these movements were forced and not voluntary

3 resulting in refugees converging in congested and overcrowded sites lacking access to basic life-saving assistance. Some IDPs in one of the camps in Pulka who were returned from Banki in NIF / Moshood Raimi. While scaling up response efforts, humanitarian organisations, with the support of the NIF, also advocated for dignified, voluntary and safe returns through engaging with the Nigerian government through the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and IDPs (NCFRMI) and UNHCR were also made by the NIF. MAY: SETTING UP THE INTER- AGENCY TASK FORCE Following up on efforts made in April, the NIF took action and advocated for the setting of a High Level Task Force led by the Deputy Governor of Borno State and included the UN agencies, SEMA, NEMA and the Borno State Humanitarian Response Committee. The High Level Task Force was established to increase coordination for improving conditions in the overcrowded sites, in line with humanitarian standards. Also in May, NIF developed a briefing paper and held bi-lateral meetings with World Food Programme (WFP) to address major logistical and communication challenges faced by INGOs partners in delivering food assistance. This advocacy led to a visible improvement in relations 3 between WFP and INGOs. JUNE: FIRST NHF FUNDING ALLOCATION The NHF made its first allocation for 13 selected projects receiving $10.5 million. The NIF contributed to the establishment of the NHF through the provision of a guidance note, which advised the inclusion of National NGOs and highlighted the need for flexible funding. A second allocation followed in November with $13.4 million for 24 selected projects. JULY: STAIT P2P REVIEW MEETING The NIF participated in the Senior Transformative Agenda Implementation Team (STAIT) Mission Peer to Peer (P2P) support mission, which self-assessed the activities of the humanitarian community and identified ways of improving service delivery. Following the mission, the NIF committed to increased capacity building and collaboration with national NGOs and assisted in the development of a Common Terminology document endorsed by the HCT to ensure a principled response. AUGUST: AFRICAN UNION WORLD HUMANITARIAN DAY PANEL The NIF represented the humanitarian community at the African Union World Humanitarian Day Panel discussions on protection. The panel provided the opportunity to highlight protection related challenges to the AU Peace and Security Council.

4 SEPTEMBER: OSLO STABILIZATION CONFERENCE AND VISIT BY THE ERC NIF developed a paper highlighting the continuing dire humanitarian situation and the need to ensure the stabilisation agenda does not overwhelm the need for humanitarian funding, especially in Borno state. The paper led the discussions and were reflected in the final Berlin Declaration. Following the Berlin Declaration and recognising the need for strengthened cooperation between the four networks of INGOs in the Lake Chad Basin, NIF led the development of a joint statement, which was delivered at the UN General Assembly highlighting the crosscutting issues between the four countries. The newly appointed Under- Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, visited Nigeria in September. After meeting the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs visited Maiduguri, Pulka and Gwoza. There, he witnessed firsthand the impact of the conflict, listened to accounts of the suffering experienced by affected families, and contributed to raising the profile of the crisis internationally. OCTOBER: 44 INGOS RECEIVE REGISTRATION DOCUMENTS FROM THE MBNP Following the NIF s targeted advocacy at the government through various channels, 44 INGOs obtained temporary registration documents from the Ministry of Budget and National Planning. This meant that many INGOs which had their registrations expire since March 2017, 4 could sign new contracts during the November February window and continue to provide much needed assistance to the affected population. SPHERE Minimum Standard training for INGOs staff in Maiduguri. NIF / Ballama Mustapha. The registration however, expires in early 2018 at the beginning of the lean season. The NIF will continue to actively advocate for permanent registration for the INGOs and for the Government of Nigeria to officially clarify procedures. In addition, utilising the global stage, NIF in collaboration with protection actors developed a short brief and video on the major protection concerns in the north east for a highlevel donor event in New York. NOVEMBER: PROMOTING GOVERNMENT ENGAGEMENTS AND PARTNERSHIPS The NIF made strides towards community engagement and fostering relationships by organising meetings for all INGOs with the Emirs of Gwoza, Bama, Shehu of Dikwa and the Governor of Borno. In addition to working on addressing the negative perceptions of humanitarian workers and building acceptance from all informal and formal levels of government, NIF also got a slot on Borno State TV to pass key messages on our objectives and our humanitarian principles to the general population of Borno.

5 5 members of the civil society and the public gathered at the hearing to voice their opinions of the bill. The NIF submitted a memorandum outlining the adverse effects the bill would have on NGO operations if passed into law. INGO Forum community engagement visit to the Shehu of Dikwa. NIF / Ballama Mustapha. Also in November, NIF worked very closely with INGO and UN counterparts to amend the Centrality of Protection Strategy to make it more robust and adequate for addressing the massive protection concerns of affected populations. It is to be tabled to HCT for endorsement. DECEMBER: THIRD READING OF THE NGO BILL The Third reading for the Public Hearing on the Non-Governmental Organisations Regulatory Commission of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2016 [HB 585] was held at the House of Representatives on 13th December. Leading up to the third hearing, the NIF worked closely with civil society platforms on developing messaging and advocacy which included hosting a round table with donor and civil society representatives. Over 300 A cross section of civil society representatives during the public hearing of the NGO bill in the National Assembly. DiPGEI. The INGO Forum Director attended the hearing and spoke on NIF s strong opposition to the bill and the detrimental effects it would have on both CSOs and INGOs operating in Nigeria, in particular humanitarian operations in the north-east. In addition, NIF developed a key expectations paper, which was sent to Interaction, ICVA and other global figures to ensure the INGO perspective of the key qualities needed for the Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator (DHC) was communicated before the next DHC was elected. About the Nigeria INGO Forum The Nigeria International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) Forum provides a collective voice for members to elevate humanitarian operational realities and challenges nationally, regionally and internationally. Through strengthening coordination, increasing information sharing and fostering partnerships with all actors, including the Government of Nigeria, United Nations, national NGOs and donors, the INGO Forum works as the critical link pushing for increased efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery and usage of much needed aid to affected populations.

6 Cover Photo: Children fetching water from water points installed by Oxfam in a camp in Pulka. NIF / Moshood Raimi. Contacts: Jennifer Jalovec Director, Nigeria INGO Forum, Abuja jjalovec@ingoforum.ng Joanna Garbalinska Deputy Director, Nigeria INGO Forum, Maiduguri jgarbalinska@ingoforum.ng A Nigeria INGO Forum Publication January 2018 The INGO Forum is Funded By: