…Says two million children at risk of acute malnutrition
As Nigeria joins the global community to mark the 2023 World Humanitarian Day, United Nations and the federal government have paid tribute to 37 aid workers that have died in the Northeastern part of Nigeria since 2016.
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Dr. Nasiri Gwarzo, said that the Aid Workers Security Database shows that 37 aid workers have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty with 24 wounded and 34 kidnapped in the North East of Nigeria.
He made this known during a solidarity walk and media briefing alongside UN representatives to mark this year’s World Humanitarian Day themed “No matter who, no matter where and #NoMatterWhat, yesterday in Abuja.
According to him, “The Aid Workers Security Database has recorded the tragic loss of 37 aid workers, with 24 wounded and 34 kidnapped in the North East of Nigeria.
The current year has already witnessed the kidnapping of five aid workers in the North East, alongside similar incidents from various corners of our nation.
“The essence of this year’s theme, #NoMatterWhat, encapsulates the profound essence of humanitarian action,” Gwarzo said.
“The core principle that drives humanitarians is their steadfast commitment to extending life-saving assistance, irrespective of an individual’s identity or geographical location. Humanitarian workers stand as beacons of hope, traversing perilous paths to ensure aid reaches its intended recipients, regardless of the challenges they encounter. In recognizing that crises recognize no boundaries, humanitarians, too, acknowledge no barriers in their mission to assist those in dire need—NO MATTER WHAT,” he notes.
Stressing the importance of paying tribute to humanitarians working tirelessly in Nigeria and around the world, especially those who lost their lives, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Matthias Schmale, said that this year’s theme is about the unwavering commitment of countless humanitarians to serve needy communities, no matter who, no matter where and #NoMatterWhat.
He said “As this commemoration takes place, the humanitarian crisis in north-east Nigeria continues unabated. North-east Nigeria continues to grapple with the continuous impact of the long lasting non international armed conflict. Humanitarian needs in the region are undiminished-humanitarian action remains critical and lifesaving.
“While we have seen in the past year some hopeful developments, millions of people remain in survival mode.
“It is estimated that 8.3 million people need some form of humanitarian assistance in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, (BAY), states in 2023.
“Over two million people are internally displaced in the BAY states due to conflict. They face daily threats to their health and safety. In addition, there are nearly 1.6 million returnees who lack essential services and livelihoods, and 4.8 million people in host communities or communities affected by the conflict.
Schmale also lamented that ” Children are the most vulnerable to food insecurity as an estimated 2 million ‘children under five in the BAY states are likely to face acute malnutrition this year with some 700,000 children at risk of severe acute malnutrition meaning that they are 11 times more likely to die compared to well nourished children.”
He pointed that 2023 marks 20 years since the bombing of the United Nations (UN) headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, killing 22 humanitarian workers and severely injured many more. Five years after the Bagdad Bombing, the UN General Assembly designated 19 August as World Humanitarian Day.
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