The humanitarian community in Nigeria has cautioned that if Nigeria does not take immediate action, it would experience a rise in conflicts, hunger, and destitution in the North-East, due to the fact that the number of people needing humanitarian assistance is the highest ever recorded in five years of a joint humanitarian response.

 The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Edward Kallon, raised the alarm during an online high-level briefing where he was joined by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq and Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, as well as other UN and NGO representatives.

 The coordinator emphasized that the COVID-19 pandemic has deteriorated the dire humanitarian situation in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states, thus constituting mayhem to the most vulnerable population also noting that the living conditions and security situation of the people have significantly worsened since the beginning of the year. In his words, Kallon said:

“The number of people needing humanitarian assistance is the highest ever recorded in five years of a joint humanitarian response.

 “The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting us all. Its’ devastating effects will distress Nigeria’s most fragile region. Unless we take immediate action, we should prepare for a spike in conflict, hunger, and destitution in North-East Nigeria.”

He mentioned that the ongoing conflict in North-East (11th years old)  and the upsurge in violence witnessed over the past year in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states, have deepened humanitarian needs. His words;

 “Over 10.6 million people— out of a total of 13 million, or four in five people — will need some form of humanitarian assistance in 2020.

“This is close to a 50 percent increase in people in need since last year, mainly from increasing violence and insecurity further compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Representative and Country Director of the World Food Programme, Paul Howe, who also spoke said:

 ”We are concerned about conflict-affected communities who already face severe hunger and are vulnerable to the socio-economic fallout from the pandemic.

“They are on life support and need assistance to survive.”

“Though humanitarian organizations are providing food assistance to over 2.5 million people, the food security situation has gradually worsened over the past three years.

 “In an area where famine was averted only a few years ago and where millions are still struggling day by day to find their next meal, the steep rise in prices and movement restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic is an insufferable shock.

In addition, Kallon  while calling for the assistance of the possible affected areas said:

 “We know that many of our donors are facing extraordinary economic and social challenges at home as a result of the pandemic that will require vast resources.

“Now is the time for all of us to step up for the most vulnerable and demonstrate our solidarity amid the greatest global challenge of our times. Together we have already changed the course of history in north-east Nigeria for the better and we can do so once again.”