Boko Haram has forced 2.2 million people from their homes.
The 20 million Danish Kroner donation to Unicef will be announced today at a donor conference in Oslo on the humanitarian crisis in Nigeria and the region around Lake Chad.
The Minister for Development Cooperation Ulla Tørnæs says:
“On my trip to Niger in January this year, I witnessed the poverty and instability that prevails in large parts of the region. It affects innocent children and their families. The countries do not have the resources to deal with the large amounts of people who have been displaced and have fled because of the conflict with Boko Haram. This is why we are donating a further DKK 20 million in humanitarian aid to Nigeria and its neighbouring countries.”
Ulla Tørnæs notes that the scope of the humanitarian crisis is extremely serious, not least for the many internally displaced persons in Nigeria. The Danish aid to Unicef will include treatment of malnourished children, access to drinking water and education as well as the reintegration of child soldiers.
“This is a humanitarian tragedy, which must not be forgotten by the international community. In addition, Denmark will continue its efforts to strengthen the countries’ ability to resist radicalisation and instability,” emphasises the Minister for Development Cooperation.
Over 10 million people are estimated to be in need of help, not least due to the serious food shortage and instability that has been exacerbated by the terrorist movement Boko Haram.
At the Oslo conference, Denmark will also highlight the need to ensure that international humanitarian aid goes hand in hand with development cooperation and stabilisation efforts.
In 2016, Denmark contributed DKK 31.6 million in humanitarian aid to the victims of Boko Haram. The crisis around Lake Chad is closely linked with developments in the Sahel region, where Denmark has a well-integrated, broad-spectrum commitment that includes humanitarian aid, stabilisation efforts and long-term development cooperation with countries including Niger.
For further press information:
Poul Kjar, +45 41865975
