The Canadian government on Wednesday announced that it is “providing $26.95 million in new humanitarian assistance funding” to help meet the basic needs of victims of Boko Haram/Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists violence in Northeast Nigeria.
In a statement on Wednesday night, the Canadian government, through its High Commission in Abuja, said “this funding will help provide food assistance, treatment for acute malnutrition and other critical health care, safe water and sanitation, and protection services.
“The decade-long conflict in north-east Nigeria has led to one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world, with 8.7 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in 2021. An alarming 4.4 million people are expected to need food assistance during the current lean season.”
The full statement by the Canadian High Commission reads: “The decade-long conflict in north-east Nigeria has led to one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world, with 8.7 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in 2021. An alarming 4.4 million people are expected to need food assistance during the current lean season. This includes an estimated 775,000 people facing emergency levels of food insecurity, with an elevated risk of famine in areas that are cut-off from assistance due to high levels of insecurity and targeted attacks on humanitarian workers.
“In response, the acting High Commissioner of Canada in Nigeria, Nicolas Simard, is pleased to announce that Canada is providing $26.95 million in new humanitarian assistance funding to help meet the basic needs of conflict-affected populations. This funding will help provide food assistance, treatment for acute malnutrition and other critical health care, safe water and sanitation, and protection services.
“Canada’s support is being provided through experienced humanitarian partners, including UN agencies, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and non-governmental organizations. This assistance is in line with commitments made under the G7 Famine Prevention and Humanitarian Crises Compact, which notes north-east Nigeria as being at immediate risk of famine.
“Canada’s funding is focused on supporting gender-responsive humanitarian action, recognizing that women and girls continue to be disproportionately affected by the ongoing conflict. This includes improving access to sexual and reproductive health care, preventing and responding to sexual and gender-based violence, and supporting the leadership, participation, and decision-making of women and girls in humanitarian action.”
