News by Iliya Dauda
The United Nations and the International Community have pledged to sustain support towards rebuilding ravaged communities and livelihood of people in the northeast.
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Mr Edward Kallon made the pledge when he led a high powered delegation of Ambassadors, Heads of Mission and representatives of Multinational organisations on a humanitarian visit to Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.
It was an unprecedented delegation of Ambassadors and Heads of Mission of the United Kingdom, United States of America, Germany, Canada, Switzerland and Norway to Nigeria, as well as Representatives of United Nations, European Union, World Bank and the IMF collectively, visiting Maiduguri for the first time.
They are on a solidarity visit to assess the humanitarian situation and identify durable solution for victims of more than decade-long insurgency.
Leader of the delegation and United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Mr Edward Kallon said the crisis has dislocated socio-economic activities, displaced millions of people and resulted in deaths of over thirty five thousand people in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.
According to Mr Kallon, over three billion dollars received in donation from the international community from 2017 to date have been expended on humanitarian and life-saving assistance in the northeast.
He remarked that these quantum of resources would have been channelled in developing the region, if it had not been for Boko Haram crisis.
“Going forward, cooperation and multiple dimensional approach is paramount not only in resolving the conflict itself but also in privatising and addressing the development impact arising from the conflict. Let us work together towards putting a stop to the insurgency and tackling the many developmental challenges that have arisen from this protracted conflict “
British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing appreciated Borno state government and the military for doing their best in minimising the conflict.
The High Commissioner promised to support in establishing civil authority in liberated areas, improve living condition of people in urban areas and IDP camps.
“We are working with the Governor on this durable solution in the context of Borno state 25 year development plan. You’ve got real commitment from the international partners and I think in recognition that we need to be honest about some of the failures of the pas, but we have a plan going forward and we are here to support you “.
Borno state Governor Babagana Zulum expressed confidence that with the support of the visiting countries and multilateral institutions, challenges of the region would be addressed.
The report on the Impact of Conflict on Development in North East Nigeria highlighted the devastating impact of the insurgency on critical infrastructure, displacement, destabilisation of economic, health and education systems.