Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has called for additional support for displaced persons affected by the crisis in the North East, through the 2021 Humanitarian Response Plan.

A statement signed by Farouq’s media aide, Mrs Nneka Anibeze, on Tuesday, in Abuja quoted the minister as making the remark at a virtual appeal launch of  $1 billion for 6.5 million most vulnerable people in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states.

Farouq said the need to seek more support for the affected persons, especially women and children, had become a priority, following the conflict in north-eastern Nigeria, which is now in its 12th year and has impacted many Nigerians.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria remains committed to addressing the plight of the affected people and in leading the response to ensure the safety, security and provision of lifesaving assistance to those in need.

“We are facing additional challenges in terms of security and access for humanitarian partners, which is why we have developed the National Humanitarian Development Peace Framework (NHDPF)

“I am encouraged that the NHDPF emphasises promoting longer-term durable solutions.

“We must always look forward, beyond the immediate crisis, to ensure that we help people,  re-establish their lives and strengthen communities, so that we can reduce dependence on aid and promote resilience and self-reliance,” she said.

The minister said the federal government would continue to support and cooperate with the humanitarian community, to address the sufferings of the people in the three states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.

She noted that  this  had been elaborated in the Humanitarian Response Plan and articulated in the NHDPF

The statement also quoted the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Edward Kallon as saying that the only solution to the crisis is to prevent humanitarian crisis by embracing peace.

“We will continue to search for a durable solution to the crisis through advocacy, dialogue and peace building. This is the time for stakeholders to use this opportunity to solve the problems in the crises areas.

“In 2020, over three million people were provided with basic humanitarian needs. Today, 8.7 million people are in need of humanitarian aid,

“The year 2021 marks the 12th year into the conflict and our 6th year of collective response to the humanitarian needs of an immense extent,” Kallon said.

Similarly, Ann Darman,  an advocate of the Borno Network of Women-Led Civil Society Organisations, says that protection continues to be a key issue  and challenge for women and girls in conflict settings, particularly in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

“Sexual and gender-based violence continue to pose risks in the lives of many women and girls, and we must do more to protect these vulnerable ones”.

The UN and its partner NGOs are appealing for US$1 billion to provide critical humanitarian assistance to 6.4 million people in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe. (NAN)