The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator to Nigeria, Mohamed Fall has urged the Government, civil society, national and international non-governmental organisations, the private sector and UN agencies to pull together to address the immediate needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and work for solutions to their plight.
The Adamawa State Government also called for continued support towards durable solutions for displaced people.
The calls were made at a gathering of senior officials from the Federal and State Government of Nigeria and the United Nations joined by humanitarian partners and internally displaced people (IDPs) in Yola on Monday to commemorate World Humanitarian Day.
Speaking at the event, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mohamed M. Fall urged the Government, civil society, national and international non-governmental organizations, the private sector and UN agencies to pull together to address the immediate needs of IDPs and work for solutions to their plight.
The Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri who was represented by his deputy, Professor Kaletapwa Farauta, called on continued support towards durable solutions for displaced people.
Highlights of the day included a high-level visit led by Humanitarian Coordinator Mr. Fall to a stabilisation centre treating severely malnourished children. The centre is run by the Yola State Government and supported by International Rescue Committee, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
This was followed by visits to the Malkohi IDP camp, where the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (FMHAPA) and private sector partner EMNANU Foundation distributed relief items. He also visited women’s safe space run by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).
The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator said: “During my visit to the stabilization centre, I saw heart-wrenching scenes of babies fighting for their lives. 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,”.
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 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, “It is imperative that we 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 north-east Nigeria in 2023.
