The United Nations says that $1.3 billion is needed to provide humanitarian assistance to residents in the northeast in 2023.
With over six million people suffering from the devastating impact of armed conflicts in the region, the organization raised concerns that starvation, death, destitution, and extremely critical acute malnutrition levels could become prevalent if urgent action is not provided.
“The large-scale humanitarian and protection crisis shows no sign of abating, “An estimated 2.4 million people are in acute need – impacted by conflict, disaster, and disease – and require urgent support, ” said the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Mr. Matthias Schmale.
Speaking during the official launching of the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan for north-east Nigeria, Schmale said that the unabated attacks worsen current situations, with women and children living in extreme conditions.
“Women and girls are the hardest hit. Over 80 percent of people in need of humanitarian assistance across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states are women and children.
They face increased risks of violence, abduction, rape, and abuse.
”During the conflict, children, girls, women, and people with disabilities are the most affected groups of people.
They require additional attention through enhanced access to protection and quality of basic health, nutrition, water, sanitation, hygiene, and learning services.
The organization said that there are nearly 2 million returnees who lack essential services and livelihoods, and 4.8 million people in host communities or communities affected by the conflict.
“Over a million people are estimated to be in extremely hard-to-reach areas where they are unable to get to basic services or receive assistance and humanitarian actors are unable to reach them.
Some humanitarian needs of affected people are deepening and increasing, particularly those related to food insecurity and malnutrition.
“Approximately 4.4 million people are expected to face food insecurity in the 2023 lean season, up from 4.1 million in 2022. Without urgent action, 4,000 people in Bama, Borno State, are expected to be in ‘catastrophe’ (Phase 5) conditions, in which starvation, death, destitution, and extremely critical acute malnutrition levels become prevalent.
The response plan prioritizes lifesaving needs while also working to reduce vulnerabilities through efforts to build resilience and enhance self-reliance.
