It is unconscionable that we should see this level of suffering today.
I met mothers who were hopeful that their babies would get better but worried that they would be sick once again because they lack the means to provide them with nutritious meals,” Mr Fall said.
He was accompanied by the UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate and the WHO Representative Dr. Walter Mulombo.
He called on partners, led by the Government, to address the severe food insecurity and malnutrition which is affecting Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY) states. 4.8 million people
are projected to be food insecure during the lean season, with 230,000 children at risk of life-threatening severe acute malnutrition.
A lean season response plan seeking US$ 306 million
to alleviate the crisis is only 30 per cent funded.
“It is only befitting that as we mark World Humanitarian Day, whose theme is Act for Humanity, we all stand in solidarity with these children whose lives are on the line,” he added.
At the Malkohi IDP Camp, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (FMHAPA), Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan called for a reaffirmed
commitment to protect civilians caught in conflicts, ensure the safety of aid workers, and mobilize resources needed to meet growing humanitarian needs.
He added, “We must advocate for peace-building efforts and social cohesion initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of conflict and violence.”
This year’s World Humanitarian Day theme pays tribute to humanitarian workers and the people they serve and calls on global leaders to protect them.
Globally, 280 aid workers were killed in 33 countries last year, making 2023 the deadliest year on record for the global humanitarian community.
In north-east Nigeria, 4 aid workers were killed, 6 kidnapped, and 8 wounded.
According to the Secretary-General’s 2024 report on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, more than 4,500 civilians were killed due to conflict in northeast Nigeria in 2023.
For more information contact:
Ann Weru
Head of Public Information, OCHA Nigeria weru@un.org306
+234 703 852 2706