Edward Kallon, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, has said peace was the only solution to the Humanitarian crisis ravaging Nigeria’s North East.
Speaking at an online event and launch of a $1 billion 2021 Humanitarian Response for the North East, Kallon said that over the years, while needs had continued to grow, funding had, however, been dwindling.
He added that in his over 30 years of service to the United Nations, he was yet to see a humanitarian crisis that was resolved through humanitarian response only.
He pointed out that even if the UN system had all the funds it sought, to assist those affected; only peace can actually solve the challenges.
“There is light at the end of the tunnel and my advocacy has been quite clear: there are no humanitarian solutions to humanitarian problems.
“I have been clear in my advocacy at all levels that the only solution to the humanitarian problem in North East Nigeria is peace.
“I have called on stakeholders at all levels, including the highest levels, that we must prioritise prevention, development, where feasible, and humanitarian assistance where necessary,” he said.
Kallon said that since his involvement with the intervention in the North East from 2017, he had noticed that funding had continued to dwindle, while humanitarian needs had been on the increase.
He said that from the over $700m raised in 2017, the UN was only able to get over $50m dollars in 2020, whereas food needs rose from 2.8m people in 2017, to 5.6m people in 2020.
“This year, we are asking for another one billion dollars, last year we asked for one billion dollars. What I have seen since I have been part of this operation is a gradual decline in resources.
“I still remember the beginning of this operation in 2017, when member states responded so generously, and over $920 billion was realized.
“In 2018, their contribution was over $80 billion, 2019 we saw this drop to $70 billion; in 2020 we got roughly $590 million.
“If you look at this trajectory, you see a steady drop in the financial response. What is not changing is that the needs are increasing.
“Two years ago, food needs was around 2.8 to 3 million people, this year we are talking about 5.6 million people. So, we have two dynamics that we are dealing with today, while funding is taking a deep decline, we are seeing humanitarian needs rise.
“The only solution to these dynamics is peace, so that people can start rebuilding their lives and livelihoods. That is why I bring the opportunities before us, to see how humanitarian and development can pull their advantages together to find a solution,” he said.
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