Strengthening Regional Resilience: LCBC Co-Chairs 2025 Nexus Funding Facility Board Meeting
On June 4, 2025, in N’Djamena, Chad, the Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), and the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations for Chad, co-chaired the 1st Regional Board Meeting of the Nexus Funding Facility (NFF) for the Lake Chad Basin. The meeting was an opportunity for NFF Board members to discuss the funding allocation process and the national nexus priorities, get an update on the humanitarian and security situation in the region, and strengthen coordinated responses to the complex and interlinked challenges facing the Lake Chad Basin.
The meeting brough together participants from LCBC, UNHCR, UNDP, Danish Refugee Council (DRC), LCBC CSO platform representative, UN Resident Coordinators for four affected countries, MNJTF, UN Peace and Development Advisers, amongst others.
In his opening address, LCBC’s Executive Secretary, Ambassador Mamman Nuhu highlighted the NFF as a vital platform for integrating humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding efforts. “The NFF represents a bold and innovative approach to addressing the root causes of fragility in our region,” he remarked.
TH UN Resident Coordinator for Chad, François Batalingaya praised the active engagement of board members, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Federal Republic of Germany, a principal donor and strategic partner of the NFF. “The NFF is a mechanism that reflects our shared commitment to inclusive, locally driven, and conflict-sensitive solutions,” he stated.
H.E. Ambassador Gregor Schotten, German Ambassador to Chad, emphasized Germany’s pivotal role in the creation and support of the NFF. “I appreciate the open and frank discussions during this meeting. We fully support the implementation of the NFF, which promises transformative change for millions affected by displacement, insecurity, and climate vulnerability,” he said.
The Nexus Funding Facility is component three of the multi-donor regional funding facility for the Lake Chad Basin, the Special Multipartner Delivery Fund (SMDF). It has been designed to promote joint action along the Humanitarian, Development and Peace NEXUS, as means of contributing to overcoming the protracted humanitarian and security challenges in the LCB region.
During the meeting, national task forces from Cameroon and Chad presented their priorities and the funding allocations proposed by UNDP was approved. The board further delegated the responsibility for advancing with call for project proposals to the NFF Secretariat.
In his closing remarks, the Executive Secretary of LCBC expressed gratitude to all partners for their continued support and reiterated LCBC’s commitment to ensuring that the NFF remains a dynamic and responsive tool for regional cooperation. “Our role as LCBC has evolved to meet today’s multidimensional crises, and we remain committed to coordinating cross-border efforts that build resilience and foster stability,” he concluded.
The meeting ended with a shared sense of purpose and a renewed commitment to delivering impactful, community-centered solutions across the Lake Chad Basin.
