The European Union (EU) has announced a €26.5 million emergency package for conflict victims in the North East..
Over 160,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in the region as a result of increase in violence, the EU also stated.
The European block also hinted that food availability is deteriorating with 50% of households in the conflict areas at risk of not having enough food to eat.
European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations report which was updated in December, 2019 stated that since the beginning of 2019, a surge in attacks by the armed group has significantly deteriorated the security situation in the North West, forcing 42,000 Nigerians to seek refuge in Niger Republic and a further 200,000 to look for safety elsewhere in Nigeria.
The emergency package which is the first for the year 2020 according to the European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarcic, is to provide food aid, access to clean water and sanitation facilities, shelter, basic primary healthcare and education for children caught up in the conflict.
Lenarcic briefed the press on Friday in Abuja alongside the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq and
The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon.
The EU Commissioner whose visit to Nigeria is his first visit outside Europe since assuming office last year stressed the importance of access for the aid workers .
He said, “I saw first-hand today, the suffering that conflict has brought to people’s lives and how crucial humanitarian aid is to people’s survival. What matters most is that humanitarian organisations can reach all the people in need, without restrictions, including in areas under the influence of non-state armed groups.
“It is vital that all states and parties to armed conflicts respect their obligation to allow and facilitate the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief.”
EU Commissioner also added, “It is also key to implement in parallel a comprehensive strategy in the region, exploring political tracks while addressing the root causes of conflict.”
The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Kallon, who stressed the need for safety of aid workers regretted that two aid workers abducted in March 2018 and July 2019 were yet to be released.
“Our ability to provide humanitarian assistance to millions of people affected by the crisis will depend on a secure environment, for the civilians and we are here to assist, as well as the safety of our aid workers, majority of who are Nigerians.
“Our ability to respond also depends on the trust we have in our respective actions towards our common goal of supporting the most vulnerable people in surviving and rebuilding their lives and their communities.”
He noted that in 2020, the target is to reach 5.8 million people in conflict areas; stressing that the current situation demands increased collaboration among all actors and stakeholder to prevent the crisis from spiraling to levels seen three years ago.
In 2019, he said 5.6 million people in conflict areas were reached.
He therefore called on all actors and stakeholders to strengthen their efforts to provide life-saving assistance to the most vulnerable people affected by the crisis and also do their best to guarantee the protection of civilians and aid workers, and safe, unconditional access to the people in need.
On her part, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar-Farouq assured EU of government support and safety of humanitarian aid workers in areas of conflict .
“On our part, we will continue to do our best in ensuring support and safety of humanitarian aid workers in areas of conflict,” she said.
The minister also commended EU and UN for their continuous support in the efforts at addressing the humanitarian crisis in the conflict areas in the country.
