By Chioma Obinna

The humanitarian community in Nigeria has said unless immediate action is taken, there would be a rise in conflicts, hunger and destitution in the North-East, and that the number of people needing humanitarian assistance is the highest ever recorded in five years of a joint humanitarian response.

The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Edward Kallon, raised the alarm during an online high-level briefing.

He was joined by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq and Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, as well as other UN and NGO representatives.

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Kallon stressed that the COVID-19 pandemic worsened the dire humanitarian situation in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, and risks wreaking havoc on the most vulnerable population.

They say people’s living conditions and the security situation have significantly deteriorated since the beginning of the year.

Kallon said: “The number of people needing humanitarian assistance is the highest ever recorded in five years of a joint humanitarian response.

“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.”

He noted that the ongoing conflict in North-East — now in its 11th year — and the upsurge in violence witnessed over the past year in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, have deepened humanitarian needs.

His words; “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 percent increase in people in need since last year, mainly from increasing violence and insecurity further compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Speaking, Representative and Country Director of the World Food Programme, Paul Howe, said: ”We are concerned about conflict-affected communities who already face severe hunger and are vulnerable to the socio-economic fallout from the pandemic.

“They are on life support and need assistance to survive.”

“Though humanitarian organisations 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 is an insufferable shock.

“Up to 4.3 million people could now be facing hunger.

On his part, Chairman of the North-East Civil Society Forum, Ambassador Ahmed Shehu noted that accessing the most vulnerable communities has become more challenging even for them as national organisations.

According to Shehu, “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.”

Contributing, Charles Usie, Country Director of Christian Aid, representing the international NGOs noted that needs are increasing and their work has become ever more challenging.

“Since late 2019,’ he said, “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.

“Over the past year, 15 aid workers were killed in wanton violence by non-state armed groups, greatly affecting the ability for 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 amongst 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.”

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The Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Kallon explained that “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.

“Now is the time for all of us to step up for the most vulnerable and demonstrate our solidarity amid the greatest global challenge of our times. Together we have already changed the course of history in north-east Nigeria for the better and we can do so once again.

“Since 2015, UN agencies and international NGOs have been working in North-East Nigeria in coordination with the government, to provide life-saving assistance to those affected by the crisis that has ravaged entire communities in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.

“In 2019, humanitarian organisations provided support to more than 5.2 million people. Over 4 million of them received emergency health treatment or support, 2.4 million benefitted from food assistance; and, each day, aid workers saved the lives of over 650 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition.”

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