The United Nations agency, OCHA, yesterday, declared that millions of civilians are grappling with extreme adversity across North-East Nigeria and the rest of the Lake Chad region where a recent surge in violence has uprooted tens of thousands more people, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation.
A statement from the spokesperson of UNOCHA, Samantha Newport, said top UN officials were calling for support to respond to a humanitarian crisis that is now in its tenth year.
“The UN and partners, in support of the Governments of Nigeria and of countries hosting Nigerian refugees, simultaneously launched the 2019-2021 Humanitarian Response Strategy and the Regional Refugee Response Plan, respectively seeking $848million and $135million to continue providing food, water, shelter and protection to the most vulnerable people in Nigeria and neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger.”
According to the statement, the Humanitarian Response Strategy also articulates a collective vision for the next three years of humanitarian action and marks the first time in Nigeria that humanitarian actors are adopting a multi-year approach.
“We must sustain the efforts made over the recent years to ensure that aid reaches those who need it most. The decade-long conflict has brought immense suffering upon children, women, men, their families and communities.
“We have saved millions of lives, and as we strive to provide immediate response to new and existing humanitarian needs, we must also focus on addressing the causes of such untold suffering,” UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon, said.
The statement added that humanitarian organisations in Nigeria are targeting 6.2 million people hardest-hit by the crisis in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states in the country’s North-East.
“Although aid groups targeted almost the same number of people in 2018, this year’s budget is around $250million less than the previous year, based on the assessed needs and the realistic capacity to deliver aid. Last year, donors provided 67 per cent of the funds, or $700million, enabling humanitarians to provide aid to more than 5.5 million people.
“UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, seeks funding for the 228,500 Nigerian refugees who have fled into neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger, and points to a disturbing trend of events.
“Attacks are still happening, killing civilians and forcing thousands to flee for their lives. Young girls, old women and aid workers continue to bear the brunt of this escalating theatre of violence,” Regional Refugee Coordinator for Nigerian refugees and UNHCR Regional Representative for West Africa, Liz Ahua, said.
The escalation in the conflict has thwarted the people’s intention of returning to their homes.