The
United Nations said on Friday that $1billion was needed in 2017 for the
provision of aid to victims of Boko Haram terrorism in north-east
Nigeria.
The Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator,
Peter Lundberg, in a statement said the Boko Haram menace was the
largest in Africa, and that hope can be brought to the victims through
support from the international community.
“The narrative on this humanitarian
crisis can no longer be ignored and we are appealing to the
international community to help us prevent the deaths of thousands of
innocent civilians over the coming 12 months.
“This is the largest crisis on the
African continent and I am confident that with the support of the
international community and the private sector, we can begin to bring
hope to the people of the northeast,” he said.
The UN official added that “a projected
5.1 million people will face serious food shortages as the conflict and
risk of unexploded improvised devices prevented farmers planting for a
third year in a row, causing a major food crisis.”
Millions of people have been displaced
from their homes in north-east Nigeria since the insurgency began in
2009. Over 20,000 people have also been killed.
While tens of thousands of the displaced
live in camps, millions of others live in host communities where they
are barely able to fend for themselves.
The Boko Haram, despite losing most of
their seized territory to Nigerian troops, still carry out attacks on
civilians and security officials.
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