Add us as your preferred source on Google to see more of our content in Search.
Add to Preferred SourcesThe outbreak of epidemics in the Lake Chad region coupled with a rising number of people experiencing severe hunger in Nigeria demands urgent attention to provide a political solution to the complex conflict and release much needed funds.
According to the latest analyses, an additional two million people will face critical food insecurity over the coming three months in Nigeria, totalling the number of people going to bed hungry each night to nearly nine million.
“As of June, about 50,000 people in three states of Nigeria will be in famine conditions and will starve without urgent humanitarian support”, Garth Van’t Hul, interim Country Director in Nigeria.
Earlier this year, epidemics have broken out in Nigeria and Niger. Close to 10,000 suspected meningitis cases and over 830 deaths were recorded in Nigeria since the outbreak in April. In neighbouring Niger, which is strongly battered by the conflict, Hepatitis E has broken out for the first time ever, affecting one of the poorest countries in the world which has very few health facilities.
“This is adding another layer of misery for people who are trying to survive a violent conflict and rising food insecurity. What’s very concerning is that women are mainly affected by the hepatitis outbreak. All deaths occurred among pregnant women and we need to act swiftly to contain the epidemics”, Garth Van’t Hul urges.
Following the Oslo funding conference for the Lake Chad region in February this year, only 21% of the pledged 1.1 billion USD have been received.
The conflict in the Lake Chad region remains very much neglected by political leaders and has not surfaced greatly on donor’s agendas. It’s impossible to wait until famine is announced in Nigeria. Families need humanitarian support now so we avoid the worst and help them rebuild their lives.
Source: ReliefWeb. Read full information here.
17 May, 2017