UN – suffering Nigerians need $174.4 million

Nigerian refugees arrive on Lake Chad islands in Niger after fleeing attacks in Doron Bagga in Borno state, Nigeria. Source: UNHCR

$174.4 million needed to help thousands of displaced suffering Nigerians fleeing from terror of Boko Haram. The United Nations refugee agency (UNCHR) has issued an urgent funding appeal for displaced people who are in critical need for assistance.  
The appeal calls for $174.4 million to help nearly 200,000 Nigerian refugees in Cameroon, Chad and Niger. But it doesn’t mean that needs of every refugee are meant to be satisfied with approximately $900. Considering that situation across Nigeria’s Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states remains highly unstable, the numbers of refugees may be even higher.
READ ALSO: Heartbreaking Photos Of Nigerian Refugees 

UN representative Liz Ahua: “Nigerian refugees need $174.4 million ” Photo: UNHCR / H. Caux

“Displaced people in north-eastern Nigeria and across borders are in a very dramatic situation, they fear for their lives, and are at this point unable to return to their homes,” stated Liz Ahua, UNHCR Regional Representative for West Africa and Coordinator for the Nigeria Refugee situation. She also claimed in her statement that in case of more refugees fleeing Nigeria more financial help for them will be needed. “Adequate funding is crucial to make sure aid agencies can improve the living conditions for refugees in asylum countries and respond to their protection needs,” was told in her statement.
Since 2009, the Boko Haram jihadists, who are seeking to create an Islamic state, are responsible for killings of more than 15000 people. Many more were abducted and abused. Instability and violence resulted in displacing over a million people. More than 66,000 Nigerians refugees have fled from violence to Cameroon. Some 18,000 people found refuge in western Chad – vast majority of them fled since January after Boko Haram attack on the town of Baga in Nigeria’s Borno state. At the same time more than 100,000 Nigerians fled to Niger.
Last month armed forces of Chad, Cameroon and Niger joined Nigerian troops  in an operation against Boko Haram after jihadists widened their spree of violence to the neighboring states.

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