By Ihegazie Hope Chidinma
The dire state of crises in Nigeria has reached the level where more than 7.1 million people need humanitarian assistance in the North East, 2.7 million needs food and 1.1 million malnourished children need nutritional support in 2019.
This was disclosed by the senator representing Borno South, Ndume Mohammed Ali in a meeting with other senators on Tuesday at National Assembly, Abuja.
Ali noted with great concern that the humanitarian crises all over the country caused by boko haram and ISWA in the North East, farmers- Herders clashes in the North Central region and rampant cases of banditry and kidnapping activities in the North West in the country is very alarming.
He further noted that the North East Development Commission NEDC which was established by the bill sponsored by the 8th National Assembly and signed into law by PMB to address the issue relating to the humanitarian crisis caused by the activities of insurgents is not adequately funded and nothing has been released to the organization.
He said that “according to UNOCHA office in Nigeria about 1.2 billion dollars is required to address the humanitarian crises this year, while the total amount allocated to NEDC including the takeoff grant is 55billion naira which is equivalent to about 157.14million dollars, this is less than 14 per cent of the annual requirement of 1.2 billion dollars”.
Ali added that ” the International Non- Governmental Organizations NGO’s and Nigeria Humanitarian Fund NHF are over stretched and donors fatigue has started setting in. I also appreciate the efforts of Victim Support Fund, Dangote Foundation and Indimi Foundation for their humanitarian relief support”.
He therefore urged the Federal Government to in addition to fighting the security threats in the affected states, pay attention to the humanitarian crises caused by Boko Haram/ISWA farmers- herders clashes and banditry activities, adding that the Federal Ministry of Finance to release all monies due for the development of the country.
