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Tag: Mr Edward Kallon

  • UN worries over ambush of own food supply in Borno

    UN worries over ambush of own food supply in Borno

    The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon, has strongly condemned what he described as “the deadly ambush on a convoy carrying humanitarian food supplies for conflict-affected persons on Saturday 16 December, 2017” in Borno State Northeast Nigeria.

    Mr. Kallon in a Press Statement issued on Monday 18 December 2017 said there are grave concerns that such attacks will affect the supply and delivery of life-saving supplies to in need in the region, adding that, “The armed ambush by a non-state armed group took place on the road between Dikwa and Gamboru, in Borno State, and resulted in the reported loss of at least four civilian lives as well as the destruction of basic aid items initially destined to alleviate the suffering of thousands of women, children and men.

    “Violence against convoys carrying humanitarian aid is unacceptable and can result in concerning limitations in our ability to provide life-saving relief to those who need it the most,” said Mr. Edward Kallon. “We must ensure the safety of aid workers and aid convoys across the north-east of Nigeria, so people in need of assistance can access it in a timely manner and in sufficient quantity. Many lives are at risk,” Mr. Kallon said.

    The statement also explained that, “United Nations and its partners operate in the north-east of Nigeria in order to provide life-saving assistance to 6.9 million people affected by the brutal conflict. Humanitarian operations are carried out following the four basic humanitarian principles of operational independence, humanity, impartiality and neutrality and should be respected as such.

    “Since January 2017, despite major challenges, humanitarian operations in north-east Nigeria have managed to assist over 5 million conflict-affected people in the states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, including 3 million with food security interventions, 936,000 with nutritional support, 5 million with health care assistance, and over 1.3 million with safe drinking water,” the statement said.

    The Nation recalls that a convoy of food trucks belonging to World Food Program of the United Nation was allegedly ambushed by some Boko Haram insurgents, where loads of food were carted away and some people were killed including UN staff.

    But the Theatre Commander Operation Lafiya Dole Major. General Roger Nicholas through a statement signed by  Col Nwachukwu  Deputy Director Public Relations Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole said,  “Contrary to the information currently making the rounds in a section of the media that four United Nations staff had been killed and four trucks conveying food for internally displaced persons were carted away, the Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole wishes to state that the report grossly misrepresents the true situation of the incident as none of the casualties in the encounter has been identified as a staff of the UN.

    “In setting the record straight, it is necessary to state here that a patrol escorting a convoy of civilian vehicles to Logomani encountered an ambush staged by elements of Boko Haram insurgents at Maula village along Dikwa-Ngala trans sahara highway which resulted in a firefight between troops and the insurgents. The troops however fought through the ambush, overpowered the insurgents and killed six of them. The troops also captured 3 AK 47 rifles, 3 locally fabricated fire arms, 4 magazines and a belt of 7.62 mm ammunition. Sadly four persons died in the encounter. Although none of the persons killed in the ambush has so far been identified as a staff of the UN, this Headquarters considers the lives of all citizens and indeed all humans sacrosanct, which must be protected by troops even at a supreme price.

    “The situation has been brought under control and further exploitation of the general area is currently being carried out by Mobile strike Team of Operation Lafiya Dole,” the statement said.

  • UN allocates $13.4m for urgent humanitarian need in Northeast

    UN allocates $13.4m for urgent humanitarian need in Northeast

    The United Nations ( UN ), through the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund, has allocated $13.4 million to help thousands of children, women and men in need of urgent humanitarian assistance in crisis-hit north-east Nigeria.

    The humanitarian emergency in the northeastern Nigeria is one of the most severe in the world today, with 8.5 million people in need of life-saving aid in 2017 in the worst-affected states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.

    The Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF) allocation will help address this devastating situation by financing 24 projects in the sectors of protection, nutrition, water and sanitation, health, education, shelter and non-food items, rapid response and early recovery, targeting a total of 950,000 people.

    In line with commitments made at the World Humanitarian Summit, five local responders are being supported through direct funding in this allocation.  By empowering national partners, a more integrated and localized response will be possible, and their capacity will also be strengthened.

    “Humanitarian needs in north-east Nigeria are still vast,” said Mr Edward Kallon, the Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria. “The United Nations and our partners, in support of the Government of Nigeria, are committed to assisting those in need, especially in pivotal areas such as protection and health.”

    In particular, the funds will be used to expand and improve sexual and reproductive health services for nearly 130,000 women and adolescent girls in areas of Borno, the epicentre of the crisis, and boost mental health services for vulnerable children, women and men. Gender-based violence will also be addressed by providing more accessible medical care. In light of the recent cholera outbreak and to mitigate the risk of faecal contamination and poor hygiene, funds have also been allocated to improve the availability of safe water and sanitation for 125,000 people.

    The NHF is one of 18 country-based pooled funds and was launched during the Oslo Humanitarian Conference on Nigeria and the Lake Chad Region in February 2017. Managed by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on behalf of the Humanitarian Coordinator, it plays a vital role in ensuring an effective, coordinated, prioritized and principled humanitarian response in Nigeria.

    To date the NHF has received $41 million in contributions and pledges, thanks to the generous support of Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, Ireland, Norway, Switzerland, the Republic of Korea, Canada, Spain, Luxembourg, the Arab Gulf Program for Development, Malta, Azerbaijan and Sri Lanka.

  • UN condemns deadly attacks on civilians in Borno

    UN condemns deadly attacks on civilians in Borno

    The Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr Edward Kallon, on Tuesday condemned the deadly attacks targeting innocent civilians in Konduga, Banki and Ngala areas of Borno.

    Kallon expressed this view in a statement by Biodun Banire, Public Information Officer, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Tuesday in Abuja

    He said that four attacks in recent weeks, three of which were carried out by suicide bombers, had claimed the lives of over 45 civilians and injured countless others.

    Kallon said that the incidents were indicative of a surge in the brutal violence triggered by a regionalised conflict that is now in its eighth year.

    “Civilians are routinely killed in direct and indiscriminate attacks in the north-east of Nigeria.

    “This conflict, with all its brutality and horrors, is reaching new lows, with more than 80 children used as human bombs in 2017 alone.

    “I call upon all parties to the conflict to respect human life and dignity.

    “The latest attack occurred on September 18 in Konduga area, about 28 kilometers southeast of Maiduguri.

    “Three suicide bombers consecutively detonated explosive devices strapped to their bodies in Mashemari village, killing 13 and injuring many more,” he said.

    According to him, previous attacks in Banki and Ngala targeted camps for internally displaced persons and Nigerian refugees returning home.

    He said that these camps hosted thousands of vulnerable women, men and children, who had been forced to flee their homes and now rely on humanitarian assistance to meet their basic needs.

    “The previous Konduga attack in August targeted a market in the town.

    “The frequency of the attacks is on the rise and ‘softer’ targets, such as camps for displaced persons, are being identified by insurgents.

    “This is an extremely worrying trend, while the Government of Nigeria has made significant progress in many locations in the north-east, allowing thousands of people to return home, there is more to be done.

    “I urge the Government of Nigeria to increase efforts to protect civilians,” he said

    He said that the protection of civilians was the focus of the ongoing humanitarian response in the north-east.

    Kallon noted with concern that 8.5 million people were in need of humanitarian assistance in the most affected states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa state’s.

    “Women, children and men face grave human rights violations and sexual and gender-based violence, including rape.

    “Since the start of the conflict in 2009, thousands of people have been killed, thousands of women and girls have been abducted and children have been used as so-called “suicide” bombers,” he said.

  • UN: how to position youths for leadership

    UN: how to position youths for leadership

    Youths are leaders of tomorrow. To prepare them for the future, the United Nations (UN) is pushing for economic empowerment for them. This, the UN believes, will enable them devote their strength to building peace and progress in their communities. The UN threw this challenge at an event held at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to mark the International Youth Day. WALE AJETUNMOBI reports.

    At a growth rate of 3.2 per cent, Nigeria’s population is projected to exceed 289 million people by 2050, with more than 60 per cent of this population expected to be youths. Without genuine effort to pursue integrated economic policies that will empower young people and initiate a sustained jobs creation plan in preparation for this demographic overshoot, Nigeria faces a dire future.

    This is  the crux of the address by the United Nations (UN) Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Mr Edward Kallon, to scores of youths that converged on the University of Lagos (UNILAG), last Saturday, to commemorate the International Youth Day.

    The event with the theme: Youth building peace, was organised by the UN Information Centre (UNIC) in Lagos in collaboration with Strategy for Mentoring and Leadership Empowerment (SMILE), a non-governmental organisation.

    The population bulge, the UN envoy said, provides a unique opportunity for Nigeria to leverage the burgeoning youth demography in achieving accelerated growth and development. But he warned that the country may be in a quagmire if there is no effort targeted at engaging and empowering its youths.

    Kallon said: “Nigeria stands at a crossroads with a growth rate of 3.2 per cent. The country’s population is expected to exceed 289 million by 2050. An estimate of 31.7 per cent of Nigeria’s population is between 10 and 24 years of age, while approximately 60 per cent is under the age of 40. This projected population growth can either pose a major challenge for Nigeria or a major opportunity.

    “To unlock this demographic dividend, Nigeria must empower its youth to play constructive, unifying and innovative roles and fully include them in the country’s development process. The youths must have equal access to economic opportunities and decent livelihood.”

    The envoy added that the 2015 UN Security Council’s Resolution 2250 was passed with the aim to engage the youth in fostering global peace and security. He noted that the resolution also sought to change the normative stereotype on the youth as victims and perpetrators of violence and conflict, to focus on positive contributions which youth should play in preventing conflict and building peace.

    He said: “As we take steps in Nigeria towards realising Agenda 2030, which recognises that the challenges to peace and security are rooted in developmental deficits, we must identify and tackle the obstacles that inhibit the youth from playing active and empowered roles in development and building peace.

    “One is the lack of economic opportunity, which is rendering too many Nigerian youths hopeless and denying them access to decent livelihoods. According to government’s statistics, there is an estimate of 17.6 million youths unemployed in Nigeria. This means there are existing hurdles for those who want to enter into the workforce. Political, ethnic and religious rhetoric is dividing communities and has led to entrenched narratives that fuel violence, particularly among youth groups.

    “These youths need psychological support and rehabilitative services to help regain their productive capacities and become constructive forces in their communities. In asking the youth to engage and champion development, and help to build peace, these young people must be empowered and their energies harnessed for positive projects.”

    Despite its developmental challenges, Kallon observed that Nigeria had put forward “sincere commitment” to engage its youths productively. He said the establishment of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and creation of independent ministry for youth development purposes were steps in right direction. He also praised the National Assembly for the recently passed Not-Too-Young-To-Run Bill, which he described as the “most progressive legislation” since the inception of the current dispensation.

    The UN envoy said: “Nigeria has continued to demonstrate its sincere commitment to empowering the youth. The recently passed  Not-Too-Young-To-Run Bill, which lowers the age for standing in elections, is a good step. That bill is one of the most progressive legislations enacted by senators and all politicians in Nigeria. It would create opportunity for the youth to be participants in governance and politics of this country.

    “It is very progressive and timely, because youths are agents of progress and peace. We expect the legislation to give more opportunity to young people to take up leadership positions and effect the changes they want. The future of Nigeria belongs to the youth.

    “They should not be seen from the traditional rhetoric as perpetrators of violence.

    “Nigerian youths need social inclusion and economic empowerment, which the government must put in place through regulations that are necessary to bringing out young people’s potential. Government must make efforts to ensure the youth are provided decent jobs and means of livelihood.”

    To the president of SMILE, Mrs Bimpe Bamgbose-Martins, the occasion presented the government an opportunity to address the causes of conflict and agitation, which, she said, have led to intolerance, poverty and economic inequality.

    She said: “Being productively and profitably engaged will not only ensure a fulfilled and impactful life for the youth, it is also key to building sustainable peace in the country. Beyond the well-crafted speeches being read today, SMILE will follow up the anniversary with a plan to run Business Enterprise Development programmes to equip willing participants with entrepreneurial skills and knowledge to start, grow and run viable businesses.”

    Co-chairman of Private Sector Advisory Group on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Dr Ndidi Nnoli-Edozien, said it was out of place for the youth to beg for leadership roles, saying their exploits in technology, entrepreneurship and education naturally make them leaders.

    Nnoli-Edozien, who is the Group Head of Sustainability and Governance of Dangote Industry Limited, charged the participants to see themselves as leaders in their fields, stressing the need to imbibe good attitude and engage the social media productively.

    Bovi, a popular comedian, said youths’ inborn freedom to think for themselves is being daily suppressed by the society through cultural, religious and social norms, noting that the youth are being programmed to think in the way the society wants them to.

    He said: “One of our problems is that, we have been programmed. Right from our homes, we have been programmed. We are programmed by the system, culture and religion. To a large extent, this helps to keep the law and order in the society. While this serves the society better in promoting orderliness, it is morally wrong in most cases because it suppresses the freedom of the youth to think independently.

    “There is nothing wrong in breaking the norm, especially if the action does not go against the law. In this part of the world, the youth have been programmed to fight for survival and freedom. Since the advent of the Internet, things have changed, because the youth now have a platform to express their ideas and abilities. Until young people break away from the programme, we would continue to agitate for our inborn freedom.”

    The event featured interactive panels of discussion, during which contemporary challenges facing the youth were examined.

    A panelist, Taiwo Akinlami, said the first step the youth could take to build sustainable peace is to shatter the barrier of ignorance. He said the battle against youth oppression in any country would not be won by agitation and violence, but through the weaponry of the mind.

    He said: “The major threat to peace is oppression. As young people, we must recognise that oppression is by permission. That first thing that supports oppression is ignorance. When the youth lack knowledge, they will be silent when they are being oppressed. So, the first step to take to fight oppression is to shatter the barrier of ignorance and get education. A properly educated mind will not accept any act of tyranny. Things will not change if we decide to be carrying placards and promote violence.”

    Other panelists included the national coordinator of Nigerian Youth for Peace Initiative, Rafiu Lawal, and Victoria Ibiwoye. Participants at the event included students and members of various youth groups.

    On December 17, 1999, the UN General Assembly passed Resolution 54/120 to endorse the recommendation made by World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth that August 12 be declared International Youth Day.

     

  • UK Envoy worried over carbon emissions in Nigeria

    UK Envoy worried over carbon emissions in Nigeria

    • Says Climate Change will drop Nigeria’s GDP to 30 per cent by 2050

    United Kingdom High Commission to Nigeria has expressed concerns over the influence of carbon emissions in Nigeria due to climate change impact.

    Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Harriet Thompson during the event to commemorate World Environment Day (WED), organised by the Federal Ministry of Environment in Abuja advised the country to strive and protect the environment to achieve sustainable development.

    The 2017 WED was themed, “Connecting with nature.” She noted that even though the country is endowed with good vegetation and human resources, “there are challenges about getting right-security, transport access, and facilities and protecting the nature will be key to sustaining it. As a tourist attraction -no one will want to come and see a decayed broken landscape.”

    While quoting the 2011 Climate Change Vulnerability Index (CCVI), Thompson said the country could lose Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of between 6 per cent and 30 per cent by 2050 due to climate change. She further estimated the loss to an amount between $100 to 460 billion.

    “Agriculture and farming, which are the key focus for economic development in Nigeria, give daily opportunity to connect with nature. Nigeria’s focus on rebuilding its agricultural capacity growth would help to provide more employment and earning opportunities .“For 2017, theme could not have come to at a better time than this-

    “For 2017, the theme could not have come at a better time than this, time to rethink just how much time spend ‘in nature’, how much nature nourishes ‎us daily and throughout our lives.

    “Around the globe, billions are fed by nature itself, from the dependence on natural water to the fertile soils in the grounds in which our food are grown. Everyone and everything eat from the surplus of the ground.Unfortunately, those down the food chain are the first to suffer when ecosystems are threatened, from climate change, loss of biodiversity and policies,” Thompson added.

    “Unfortunately, those down the food chain are the first to suffer when ecosystems are threatened, from climate change, loss of biodiversity and policies,” Thompson added.

    She restated commitment of the UK government to tackling global climate change and the Paris Agreement ‘as strong as ever’.

    According to her, UK government would continue to play a leading role internationally and also in delivering her commitments to create a safer and more prosperous future for all.

    In his remark, the Environment Minister, Ibrahim Jibril admitted that the rural dweller that largely depends on nature for their livelihood are most hit by climate change impacts.

    He added that most times they are affected by pollution, and over-exploitation of the natural resources.“Even in the face of many environmental challenges that are confronting our dear country Nigeria; from desertification in the north to coastal erosion in the South East and

    “Even in the face of many environmental challenges that are confronting our dear country Nigeria; from desertification in the north, to coastal erosion in the South East and south- west and decades of Oil Pollution in the Niger Delta – We are reminded that when we come together as one people, collectively we can resolve to protect our environment and the resources we are blessed with,” he said.

    Earlier, Resident Coordinator, Mr. Edward Kallon‎, said the collaboration with Federal government had resulted into the signing of the Paris Agreement and its ratification by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He said the UNDP Nigeria had commenced work with the ministry to develop the third National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

    According to him, this will assist in controlling emissions and the building of information and knowledge regarding national sources of the Green House Gasses (GHGs)‎, and the impacts of climate change on sustainable social and economic development.

  • Nigeria ranked 152 in global human development index – UNDP report

    Nigeria ranked 152 in global human development index – UNDP report

    …says country records 13.1% improvement in last ten years

    Nigeria has been ranked 152 amongst the 193 United Nations (UN) member states in the latest Human Development Index (HDI) for 2016 released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

    The country is followed closely by Cameroon in number 153 and Zimbabwe in 154 position.

    The report places Nigeria below neighbouring Ghana which is placed 139, Gabon, 109, Zambia also in 139, Equitoria Guinea, 135.

    The report however showed a positive outlook for the country as it revealed 13.1 % increase in human development in the last ten years under review (2005-15).

    NDI indicates the number of people with access to education and other basic amenities. Human development is about enlarging freedoms so that all human beings can pursue choices that they value. HDI is a composite statistic of life expectancy, education, and per capita income indicators, which are used to rank countries into four tiers of human development
    The global report was officially launched on 25th, March 2017 in Stocklom, while the Nigeria version was launched Tuesday.

    According to the report, Norway tops the log as the number one country in the Hunan Development Index and it’s closely followed by Switzerland and Australia which came joint second, Germany on the fourth position and Denmark number five.

    Speaking at the public presentation of the Report in Abuja yesterday, UNDP Resident Representative, Mr Edward Kallon, called for an urgent action by the government to sustain the gain.

    “The report shows that between 2005 and 2015, Nigeria’s HDI increased from 0.466 to 0.527 – a 13.1 percent increase.

    “This is encouraging, but given the humanitarian challenges already alluded to, and the economic recession witnessed in 2016, there is an urgent need to design policies and programmes to ensure that the upward trend in human development is not reversed.

    “As the 2014 HDR aptly noted success is not automatic and gains are not necessarily permanent,” he said
    He noted that the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) recently launched by the Federal Government outlined several medium-term policies and programmes that could keep Nigeria on a positive development trajectory.

    He said that the ERGP focused on restoring growth, investing in people and building a globally competitive economy.

    Kallon pledged the UNDP commitment to supporting both the Federal and State Governments in implementing programmes addressing the simultaneous eradication of poverty and signi ficant reduction of inequalities and exclusion in Nigeria.

    He described UNDP as the UN’s lead agency with a mandate to eradicate poverty, and promote sustainable human development everywhere in Nigeria.

    According to him UNDP has produced several National HDRs focusing on various issues defining development in Africa’s largest economy.

    He said that the reports would continue to shape policy interventions and public debate around many development issues affecting millions of people in the country.

    “The economic growth is necessary but not sufficient condition for human development; it is possible to achieve high levels of human development even with modest levels of growth.

    “What matters is the source and spread of growth; and how growth is managed and distributed for the benefit of everyone,” he said.

    He said that addressing the twin problems of economic recession and humanitarian crisis facing the country called for tough policy choices.

    “We should utilise the opportunity provided by the national launch of this report to promote policy dialogue, at both national and sub-national levels.

    “To enrich programmes aimed at implementing the ERGP and Growth Plan, the SDGs and AU’s Agenda 2063 to ensure that human development is realised for everyone and that no one is left behind,” he said.

    Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed in her remarks said the launch of the report was timely.
    She however warned that the current humanitarian crisis in the North East is capable of reversing the gain if not properly addressed.

    She said, “The downturns in 2016 occasioned by the weak growth of investment, trade and productivity as well as the humanitarian crises are capable of infusing a reversal trend if not curtailed early.

    “​It is common knowledge today that violent extremism is the greatest threat to human improvement, especially the achievement of inclusive growth as put forward by the UNDP’s principle of Universalism. Following the Arab Spring which was initially thought of as a Mediterranean issue, violent extremism has engulfed the Lake Chad region, taking its toll on lives and property in North East Nigeria. Over 14 million people are affected with 1.8 million internally displaced persons to carter for in the three most affected States.”

    She stressed that human development could also be elusive when there is insecurity and deprivation.

    “Human Development cannot be for everyone in a situation where 14 million people are insecure and deprived,” he said.

    Mrs. Ahmed however commended President Muhammadu Buhari’ Administration for reducing the level of violence in the country.

    He noted, “the level of violence has been significantly scaled down but over 4.4 million people in the region need food, clothing and shelter. The Government of Nigeria has mobilised available resources to ameliorate the situation.

    Speaking on the report, she said it provided an independent and data-based analysis of why certain groups tend to be more disadvantaged and highlights the persistent barriers to achieving sustainable human development for all.

    She said it also came on the heels of the recently launched NERGP which she said would define the country’s economic trajectory for the next four years, by ensuring sustained, inclusive and diversified growth.

    “The Report comes as Nigeria works to actively implement programs aimed at meeting the Sustainable Development Goals, both at the Federal and State levels,” she said.

    The minister said Government was working proactively to address the current economic challenges facing the Nation, and to implement policies and programmes that promote human development.

    According to her the programmes would ensure that `no one is left behind’.

    “We will also strive to ensure that the disadvantaged communities receive the extra support they need. This includes those living in conflict affected areas, women and girls, and rural communities.

    “Government is striving to ensure that human development progress is more resilient to shocks, such as epidemics, economic challenges, conflicts.

    “This is being done through the development and implementation of sound policies and through social investment programmes,” she said

  • UN calls on private sector to support IDPs

    UN calls on private sector to support IDPs

    The United Nations (UN) has made a clarion call to the private sector to channel resources towards helping Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) that have suffered untold hardship due to the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East.

    The resident coordinator of UN in Nigeria Mr Edward Kallon gave the call at a dinner with business mogul, chief executives officers and captains of industries in Lagos.

    Kallon observed that the crisis which started on the notion of protecting a course have degenerated into a food, security and malnutrition crisis, adding that due to the fact that over 9.5 million people need humanitarian attention, it has become one of the focus points of the international community.

    According to him, the UN is scaling up its effort in the North East, because their needs are high and against this backdrop, the need for private partnership is imperative to effectively meet the rising needs.

    Giving reasons for the involvement of the private sector, he said: “Nigerian have a vibrant private sector, and we believe that they have a huge role to play in increasing the global resource material and investing in the building and stabilising of the affected people. And that is the potential we are trying to harness’’

    The coordinator averred that his expectation from the private sector is for them to mobilise resources to support of the UN and the government, re-engage the internally displaced and stock investment that is required to pacify the situation.

    In her remark, the Minister of State, Ministry of Budget and National planning Honorable Zainab Ahmed described the joint humanitarian response as an embodiment of passion and concern for our fellow human beings.

    The Minister noted that the scale of destruction and the new skill required to ensure a return to normalcy, needs unprecedented levels of partnership between the international humanitarian community and Government of Nigeria, coming together at this critical moment in our history.

    Her words: “Both the Government and the private sector have a moral and imperative responsibility of increasing the funds for IDPs and also ensure seem less at all level to reach the people that are in need at the right time.”

    According to her, the Government will continue to put fund into jointly prioritised sectoral activities, so that there will be no gaps in the humanitarian response.

    Ahmed noted that the resources will be deployed transparently and in a manner that blends in well with the complementary deployment of resources by the humanitarian community, including the support for early recovery and livelihoods.

  • Bombed IDPs Camp: UN agency pledges support

    Bombed IDPs Camp: UN agency pledges support

    The UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) has pledged to offer more sustainable support to the Government and people of Nigeria in addressing humanitarian challenges.

    To this end, UNHAS says it has airlifted eight Nigeria Red Cross workers injured in the military airstrike that hit Rann Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Borno.

    Mr Edward Kallon, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, said this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He said a helicopter with four medical personnel and 400kg of emergency medical supplies were dispatched by UNHAS.

    “This is an unfortunate tragedy that befell people already suffering the effects of violence,” he said.

    Kallon noted that the Nigerian army had also deployed a medical team to the locality for humanitarian services.

    He said the military was also working with humanitarian partners to ensure maximum support to the affected people.

    Kallon said Rann was currently hosting about 43,000 IDPs struggling with serious food shortages and severe malnutrition.

    He said humanitarian access to the area had been difficult due to insecurity and bad roads.

    Kallon expressed sympathy and solidarity of humanitarian community with those affected by the unfortunate incident.

    He assured that additional assistance and personnel would be deployed to Rann in the coming days.