Un rallies support for IDPs in North East

As recession bites hard and the humanitarian situation in the North East continues to escalate, the United Nations has begun to solicit funds from international donors, developed countries, private sector for the provision of humanitarian aids for Internally Displaced Persons in the North East.

The UN Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator, Peter Lunderg during a press briefing in Abuja disclosed that the Humanitarian Emergency Directors required $1billion to meet the needs of over 6.9 billion people in the North East.

He said that with the knock-on effect of oil crisis on the country resulting in recession, no national government alone would be able to cope with such massive numbers of people in need of urgent humanitarian support, adding that based on the humanitarian imperative, the international community was ready to further support the Nigerian people in the region.

He stated that “together with 75 partners, we are seeking $1 billion to deliver life saving assistance and prevent further hardship for the children, women and men in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.”

While soliciting assistance especially from the Nigerian private sector to contribute to what the international communities have been doing, he said we ask for commitments throughout 2017 to prevent the disaster from escalating into widespread catastrophe.

“Our aspiration is to assist those who want to return home to do so in safe and dignified manner with sustainable restoration of livelihoods and access to basic services,” he stated

The UN official noted that reaching all people in need remains the biggest challenge to humanitarian operation, due to restricted access and high levels of insecurity, adding that some NGOs, Governments and UN agencies had to resort to military escorts as a last resort to deliver humanitarian assistance to council areas where there are large concentration of IDPS.