By Maina Maina The deteriorating security situation in northeast Nigeria since the beginning of the year 2020 calls for urgent ...
By Maina Maina
The deteriorating security situation in northeast Nigeria
since the beginning of the year 2020 calls for urgent support for victims of
the conflict who are majorly rural dwellers, UN Humanitarian Coordinator,
Edward Kallon has said.
According to him, the number of people needing humanitarian
assistance is the highest ever recorded in five years of a joint humanitarian
response.
The humanitarian coordinator said, “The COVID-19 pandemic is
affecting us all. Its devastating effects will distress Nigeria’s most fragile
region. Unless we take immediate action, we should prepare for a spike in
conflict, hunger and destitution in north-east Nigeria.”
Speaking at an online High-Level Briefing, the UN Resident
and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr Edward Kallon, joined by the Minister of
Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya
Umar Farouq and Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum, as well as other UN
and NGO representatives, stressed that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbates the
dire humanitarian situation in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States, and risks
wreaking havoc on the most vulnerable population.
The UN said over 10.6 million people – out of a total of 13
million, or four in five people – will need some form of humanitarian
assistance in 2020. This is close to a 50 per cent increase in people in need
since last year, mainly from increasing violence and insecurity further
compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The ongoing conflict in north-east Nigeria – now in its
eleventh year – and the upsurge in violence witnessed over the past year in
Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states have deepened humanitarian needs. ” Mr Kellon
observed.
Adding his voice, Paul Howe, Representative and Country
Director of the World Food Programme said, “We are concerned about
conflict-affected communities who already face severe hunger and are vulnerable
to the socio-economic fallout from the pandemic,”
The UN said though humanitarian organizations are providing
food assistance to over 2.5 million people, the food security situation has
gradually worsened over the past three years.
”In an area where famine was averted only a few years ago
and where millions are still struggling day by day to find their next meal, the
steep rise in prices and movement restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic are
an insufferable shock. Up to 4.3 million people could now be facing hunger.
“Accessing the most vulnerable communities has become more
challenging even for us as national organisations,” explained Ambassador Ahmed
Shehu, Chairman of the North-East Civil Society Forum.
“Many of our
colleagues have lost their lives in the service to humanity. We are urging the
international community to support the north-east. It is important we all come
together to provide assistance to people in need and work even closer together,
especially with local actors.”
Charles Usie, Country Director of Christian Aid,
representing the international NGOs said, “Needs are increasing and our work
has become ever more challenging.
“Since late 2019, there are almost no roads in Borno and
Yobe states that humanitarians can travel on. With the upsurge in violent
attacks by non-state armed groups, humanitarian workers and the aid they
deliver are increasingly at risk.”
The UN said, over the past year, 15 aid workers were killed
in wanton violence by non-state armed groups, greatly affecting the ability of
international and Nigerian organisations and the Government to provide
life-saving assistance.
“Despite challenges, the humanitarian community remains
committed to supporting the people of Nigeria who are desperately in need of
assistance. UN and NGO partners have already provided assistance to over 2.6
million people since the beginning of this year.
“As needs are increasing, UN and partner NGOs have reviewed
their collective appeal and the budget required to provide urgent aid to 7.8
million people who are among the most vulnerable.
“The requirement now stands at US$1.08 billion. Whilst needs
are rapidly increasing, funding is however at a historic low. With only five
months left until the end of the year, aid organisations have received less
than a third of the required amount, amounting to less than 30 cents for each
person in need for the whole year.
“We know that many of our donors are facing extraordinary
economic and social challenges at home as a result of the pandemic, that will
require vast resources,” explained the Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr
Kallon.
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