USAID Ban: UNICEF to Reduce Workforce, Travel

The United Nations Children’s Fund has disclosed plans to reduce workforce and travels as part of measures to mitigate the effect of the cut of USAID funding by the Trump administration 

The UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Gilles Fagninou made the disclosure on Monday during an assessment visit to some of the Agency’s ongoing programmes at the Hajj Camp in Maiduguri, Borno State

Gilles Fagninou, UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa

He said UNICEF is working close with various government in Africa to see how they can collaborate and mitigate the effect of the funding cut by US, President, Donald Trump

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“We are patronizing other sources of funding. We are discussing with Government and they are taking measures to fill the gap that was created by the cut of funding from the US and others. UNICEF is putting more efforts, government is putting more effort to seek resources to come and fill the gap. So that effort will continue. We may not be able to have everything, but what we have, we will use it in an efficient way”

“As a precautionary measure, we are reducing travels, and our workforce to be able to have more efficiency in what we do” he said

” The US measure will affect the whole world. No doubt that they play a key role in our funding, however, mitigation measures are been taking and the effect is not as large as expected” he added

Gilles said his visit to the state was primary to see the progress of UNICEF programs and support to the state government

I am here to see the progress of UNICEF support to the government. You know, humanitarian assistance is extremely important and that will continue even with funding issues

He further explained that UNICEF is now cutting cost based on the strength of it’s resources

We are here to support government and communities and we are doing this with UNICEF own funding and those we received from others. Funding has always been uncertain. We are just ensuring that we received the minimum we need to respond to the need we have on ground

He commended the effort of UNICEF Borno in the ongoing health and education programs in the Hajj camp where repentant Boko Haram and their families are going through rehabilitation

“I have seen a group of people who are working in this Hajj camp with the minimum they have, and are offering support to those who are coming to this camp and that is what is important”