TheCable

Antonio Guterres, United Nations secretary general, on Monday, released $100 million from the organization’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to sustain operations in Nigeria and eight other countries that are in conflict but have been “neglected”

Guterres said the levels of vulnerability in Nigeria, Cameroon, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Somalia and Uganda are alarmingly high yet funding is “critically low”.

He said the “allocation will enable life-saving help for more than 6 million people”.

“CERF is a lifeline for people caught up in crises that don’t make the headlines but where needs are just as urgent,” Guterres said.

“This funding is crucial so that the UN and partners can continue assisting people who need our help so desperately.

“The funding will ensure that millions of people who fled Boko Haram-related violence and conflict in Nigeria, Niger and Cameroon will receive health care, food assistance and shelter. It will also bring relief to the internally displaced people as well as refugees from neighbouring countries in Somalia, Uganda and Libya.

“Urgent support will also reach those suffering from malnutrition and food insecurity in Madagascar, Mali and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.”

The UN admitted that the $100 million will address only a small portion of dire humanitarian needs.

Stephen O’Brien, UN emergency relief coordinator who manages CERF, said the programme is one way to provide urgent aid to crisis torn countries.