UN releases N3.7billion to IDPs

The United Nations Humanitarian Chief, Mr Stephen O’Brien has released about N3.7billion ($13million) as life-saving support to the 250,000 Internally Displaced Persons in the North East of Nigeria.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs who announced this in a statement said that the money was released the by the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).

“United Nations humanitarian chief Stephen O’Brien has released US$13 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), to provide life-saving assistance to 250,000 people in parts of the North-East of Nigeria.

“The destruction of crops and looting of livestock have left many people unable to support their families.

“More than 50,000 people need seeds and tools for the upcoming planting season. Women, girls, men and boys have suffered or witnessed terrible abuses.

“CERF funds will enable humanitarian partners to provide critical psycho- social support and protection services. CERF funding will help them to rebuild their livelihoods,’’ it said.

According to the statement, the Humanitarian Response Plan for Nigeria was revised upwards by N14.3billion ($51 million) this month, and currently needs N78.4billion (about $279 million).

The statement added that the IDPs had suffered so much from the activities of Boko Haram in the North East and needed to be supported for survival.

It noted that CERT had since last year been providing life-saving assistance to the internally displaced persons in the North East.