by Deborah Tolu-Kolawole and Kayode Idowu,
The United Nations has said $1.1bn would be needed in 2022 to undertake humanitarian assistance in the troubled North East Nigeria.
While revealing that an estimated 8.4 million people will require humanitarian assistance in the North East in the course of the year, it lamented that the total number of those displaced in the 12 years crisis in the geopolitical zone has risen to over 2.2 million.
Speaking on Wednesday during the launch of the Nigeria Humanitarian Response Plan 2022 at the UN House in Abuja, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Matthias Schmale, lamented that the conflict in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States has evolved into an alarming humanitarian.
He said over 2.2 million people are displaced due to the persistent conflict and face daily threats to their health and safety.
Schmale said $1.1bn is needed to provide critical aid and services to people who are most affected by the crisis.
He added, “For many women, men, boys and girls, the profound impact of conflict in North East Nigeria continues to be felt painfully. “According to our analysis, some 8.4 million people in the three most affected states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States are projected to require humanitarian assistance.
“They are facing an alarming and large scale humanitarian and protection crisis. Within these population groups, some of the vulnerable people with specific needs include children, women at risk, people with disabilities, older people, pregnant and lactating women and children under five with high levels of malnutrition who are facing an alarming and large-scale humanitarian and protection crisis.
“Although we have last year seen some hopeful developments, many people have still started out 2022 in survival mode. Over the last year, the number of people internally displaced has gradually increased to 2.2 million.
“The unpredictable attacks carried out by non-state armed groups against civilians and infrastructure have continued to prompt new displacement.”
Despite the many challenges, however, Schmale said there were real opportunities that could be seized.
He added, “Where possible, we must lift people out of vulnerability through efforts to build resilience and enhance self-reliance. While insecurity is persistent in many areas, there are also some locations of relative peace and stability in the North East that we must look to for opportunities of long-term or durable solutions.
“I would like to encourage all of us to also reinforce our collaboration in other key areas so that we can efficiently address the growing urgent needs and increase the safety, dignity and well-being of people suffering from the crisis in North East Nigeria.”
Schmale, while disclosing that $700 million was realised from the targeted $1bn, said should the $1.1 million target for this year not met, the humanitarian assistance would be further trimmed down on top priorities that will include food, shelter and protection of the vulnerable, especially women and children.
The UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mr Martin Griffiths, spoke about his visit to a camp for Internally Displaced Persons in Bama, stating, “Here, about 70,000 people live in a camp built for 25,000 people—70,000 people—none of whom know the day when they will be able to go home.”
