OCHA Presser: Humanitarian Situation In Nigeria
/
3:08
/
MP4
/
231.6 MB

Edited News , Press Conferences | OCHA , UNITED NATIONS

OCHA Presser: Humanitarian Situation In Nigeria

“Looming catastrophic food insecurity in Nigeria could eventually result in a famine”, warns UN Country Office

The UN Country Representative in Nigeria, Edward Kallon, warned today that the country is currently at a crossroad to a critical food insecurity which could result in famine should appropriate action not be taken now while asking urgently the international community for USD 250 million to avert the worse.

Speaking to reporters at a briefing at the United Nations in Geneva, Edward Kallon, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, said that “we are here on a very somber mission, a somber mission in the sense that we are seeing Nigeria at a cross-road to critical food insecure situation and a looming catastrophic food insecurity that could eventually result in a famine, if appropriate actions are not taken now”.

Mr. Kallon added that “we need critically USD 250 million dollars to respond to the acute food insecurity needs of 4,4 million people of which some 705, 000 are at a critical threshold of death if nothing is done now”.

Based on a latest study by the World Food Programme (WFP), the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and partners, an estimated 4,4 million people are urgently in need of humanitarian assistance in north-east Nigeria, Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states. One of the biggest challenges is getting access to the people in need.

“There are still well over 800, 000 people in inaccessible areas that we cannot access as international humanitarian partners although some of those areas are reachable by the government itself”, reports Mr. Kallon. “So, indeed, we can see the need for a division of responsibility in those areas. What’s critical to the response is going to be the need for freedom of movement of people to come from those enclaves to areas where we can have access to”.

According to Edward Kallon, the malnutrition rates are very worrisome as they have further increased since October 2020 till today.

The socio-economic impact of Covid-19 led to a destruction of livelihoods. The country is extremely worried about the new virus variants of the pandemic and the work of the humanitarian workers has been restricted due to Covid-19.

“This situation has even deteriorated further as a result of 1) limited access, constraints imposed by Covid-19 and also the lack of resources. My call on the international community is to come to our aid now to make sure that we avert a famine”.

The ongoing security concerns resulted in a further displacement of the population, according to Mr. Kallon. “As we are witnessing now as a result of banditry, criminality, and elements of terrorism, we are also seeing high levels of displacement in north-west Nigeria where an estimated 1,4 million people also need immediate humanitarian assistance. And, also in north-central Nigeria where over 1 million people also need assistance”.

The top UN official for Nigeria emphasizes that the response mechanisms are in place and colleagues are working closely with government to gain access in hard to reach areas.

“Security remains a major concern in our operation and at best the security situation in the operation areas remain fluid, volatile and unpredictable”, said Mr. Kallon. “Access remains a concern to us, but we are also very hopeful and working collectively to ensure that the response is localized, and we are using local support to make sure that affected population are reached”.

Edward Kallon reminded that in a similar situation in 2017 a famine was averted through the help of the international community.

-ends-

SHOTLIST

  1. Exterior wide shot, Palais des Nations flag alley, nations’ flags flying, a sunny day.
  2. Wide shot, press briefing at the UN in Geneva
  3. SOUNDBITE (English) – Edward Kallon, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria: “We are here on a very somber mission, a somber mission in the sense that we are seeing Nigeria at a cross-road to critical food insecure situation and a looming catastrophic food insecurity that could eventually result in a famine, if appropriate actions are not taken now”.
  4. Medium shot, journalist in press briefing room watching screen
  5. SOUNDBITE (English) - Edward Kallon, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria: “We need critically 250 million dollars to respond to the acute food insecurity needs of 4,4 million people of which some 705, 000 are at a critical threshold of death if nothing is done now”.
  6. Medium shot, podium with speakers
  7. SOUNDBITE (English) - Edward Kallon, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria: “There are still well over 800, 000 people in inaccessible areas that we cannot access as international humanitarian partners although some of those areas are reachable by the government itself. So, indeed, we can see the need for a division of responsibility in those areas. What’s critical to the response is going to be the need for freedom of movement of people to come from those enclaves to areas where we can have access to”.
  8. Close up, screen with zoom platform
  9. SOUNDBITE (English) - Edward Kallon, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria: “This situation has even deteriorated further as a result of 1) limited access, constraints imposed by Covid-19 and also the lack of resources. My call on the international community is to come to our aid now to make sure that we avert a famine”.
  10. Medium shot, podium with speakers
  11. SOUNDBITE (English) - Edward Kallon, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria: “As we are witnessing now as a result of banditry, criminality, and elements of terrorism, we are also seeing high levels of displacement in north-west Nigeria where an estimated 1,4 million people also need immediate humanitarian assistance. And, also in north-central Nigeria where over 1 million people also need assistance”.
  12. Close up, camera view finder
  13. SOUNDBITE (English) - Edward Kallon, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria: “Security remains a major concern in our operation and at best the security situation in the operation areas remain fluid, volatile and unpredictable. Access remains a concern to us, but we are also very hopeful and working collectively to ensure that the response is localized, and we are using local support to make sure that affected population are reached”.
  14. Medium shot, journalist
  15. Wide shot, podium with speakers
  16. Medium shot, Edward Kallon speaking from podium

Similar Stories

HRC 59 - Human Rights in Myanmar - 27 June 2025

2

1

2

Statements , Edited News | HRC

HRC 59 - Human Rights in Myanmar - 27 June 2025 ENG FRA

Enhanced interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner’s report on Myanmar presented by Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and oral update by Thomas Andrews, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 27 June 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | WHO

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 27 June 2025 ENG FRA

Health crisis in the West Bank is worsening, says WHO's Christian Lindmeier and Dr. Rik Peeperkorn.

DR Congo update - Tom Fletcher 26 June 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | UNOG

DR Congo update - Tom Fletcher 26 June 2025 ENG FRA

The conflict-impacted people of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) urgently need much more international assistance than they are getting today, the UN’s top aid official said on Thursday.

OHCHR/Special Procedures - Press conference: UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls - 26 June 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | OHCHR

OHCHR/Special Procedures - Press conference: UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls - 26 June 2025 ENG FRA

Forms of sex-based violence against women and girls, and the concept of consent in relation to violence against women and girls

UNCTAD Press conference: impact of AI on labor, policies and global equity - 26 June 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | UNCTAD

UNCTAD Press conference: impact of AI on labor, policies and global equity - 26 June 2025 ENG FRA

How AI and the digital economy intersect with labor markets, policy gaps, and global equity – Background briefing ahead of Ai for Good Summit

Myanmar crisis - Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews 25 June 2025

1

1

2

Edited News | UNOG

Myanmar crisis - Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews 25 June 2025 ENG FRA

Violence in Myanmar is spiralling as the military junta increases its attacks on monasteries, schools and camps sheltering people uprooted by the civil war, a top independent human rights investigator warned on Wednesday.

OHCHR/Special Procedures - Press conference: UN Special Rapporteur on Myanmar - 25 June 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | OHCHR

OHCHR/Special Procedures - Press conference: UN Special Rapporteur on Myanmar - 25 June 2025 ENG FRA

Press conference by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar

Gaza update-OHCHR

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR

Gaza update-OHCHR ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan on Palestinians killed seeking food in Gaza

OHCHR/Special Procedures - Press conference: UN Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity - 24 June 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | OHCHR

OHCHR/Special Procedures - Press conference: UN Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity - 24 June 2025 ENG FRA

Call for Solidarity and Peace: Addressing the Normalization of Violence and Arctic Militarization Risks through Indigenous Peoples’ Examples, Including Insights from the Independent Expert’s Visit to Denmark and Greenland

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 24 June 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | ITU , OHCHR , UNCTAD , UNESCO , UNHCR

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 24 June 2025 ENG FRA

Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired a hybrid press briefing, which was attended by the representatives and spokespersons of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations Refugee Agency, the International Telecommunication Union, and the United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization.

Iran update - OHCHR

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR

Iran update - OHCHR ENG FRA

Iran-Israel war: UN rights office concerned over strike on Tehran prison, reported espionage arrests

Tehran’s notorious Evin prison known for holding dissidents should not be a target, the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) said on Tuesday, a day after a reported Israeli strike on the complex.