Politicization of Humanitarian Aid Allocations by Global Donors and Implications on Selected Non-Governmental Organisations’ Performance in Nigeria

Abstract

Organisations that focus on humanitarian concerns usually rely on voluntary donations and largesse from multiple ends, without which their operations cannot be implemented. The premise of the paper was established on the fact that humanitarian aid is ultimately complemented by humanitarian funding, which is in itself reliant on donors from multiple ends. As a result of this, it has become difficult to divorce the political nature of the influence of donors’ interests in the allocation and focus of the humanitarian funding offered. This has resulted in a dilemma. The study focused on the issue of the politicization of humanitarian funding and how it affects the delivery of humanitarian aid in selected non-governmental organisations in Nigeria. Using a qualitative approach, 10 participants, working with different NGOs in Nigeria and occupying different positions, were recruited to derive data on the topic. Semi-structured interviews were utilised. The data obtained were analysed via thematic analysis to decode the data and derive recurrent themes from it. The results of the study showed that there is a consensus among the participants on the virtually inevitable role of politics in the acquisition and subsequent distribution of humanitarian funding to address issues related to conflicts and disasters among diverse communities across Nigeria. This often negates the principle of independence and autonomy that NGOs should work by where, in most cases, the acceptance of humanitarian funding from donors often leaves their hands tied. The study offered recommendations along the lines of creating mechanisms of transparency and accountability from both donors and recipient NGOs, having local NGOs seek support from their communities to be more involved in humanitarian missions, and heightened collaboration between humanitarian actors to make funding easier, more effective, and less politicized.