The United Nations on Thursday reiterated its readiness to support the Federal Government through Presidential Committee on the North-East Initiative (PCNI) to combat nutrition and security challenges in the crisis areas.
The UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Edward Kallon, disclosed this during his courtesy call on the PCNI Chairman, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd), in Abuja.
Kallon observed that at least 14 million people in Nigeria were affected with 8.5 million needing urgent assistance, saying women and children were mostly affected.
He said this prompted his visit to Danjuma so as to collaborate effectively with the federal government to achieve tremendous success on humanitarian issues as it affects crisis and displacement.
“For a very long time now, the Boko Haram menace has been in the back burner; it has not been really in the international limelight,” the UN coordinator said.
“What we have done is to bring the world’s attention to the impact of this crisis in the North- East, and to further emphasise that this has a wider implication than one could expect.
“This is not really a Nigeria problem; it is a regional problem that is why we are very happy that the international community has recognised this Boko Haram menace.
“And they are ready to support the federal government and the countries in the region to find lasting solution to the problem.”
NAN