Nigeria is on the brink of "a famine unlike any we have
ever seen anywhere" – United Nations.
If Nigeria doesn't get help fast, "we will see, I
think, a famine unlike any we have ever seen anywhere" - Mr Lanzer.
Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and one of
the biggest economies in the region. Over the years, it has been characterised
by economic, social and political upheaval and unrest. Violent conflicts are
not new to the country and the country has recorded innumerable loss of
lives and properties due to political, religious and ethnic conflicts. Religious and ethnic conflicts are also a perennial
occurrence.
Most recently, Northern Nigeria has been embroiled in one of the worst religious violence perpetrated by Boko Haram. Boko Haram has destroyed homes and properties
and killed many of the inhabitants in Northern Nigeria with the North-eastern region feeling the brunt of this. Many of
the inhabitants of these communities are reported to have fled and some are in the
internally displaced person’s camp.
There have been little reports of the condition of these
camps until recently, when some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and charities
started highlighting, firstly, the existence of these camps and secondly, the
macabre situation in these camps.
The first pictures of children in the camp I saw reminded me
of the ‘live aid’ type pictures and videos of dying African children. These
children were clearly suffering from malnutrition and not to beat around the
bush, dying. And this is not a hyperbole statement!
Mr Lanzer who is the UN's Assistant Secretary-General,
mentioned that if Nigeria doesn't get help fast, "we will see, I think, a
famine unlike any we have ever seen anywhere". Whilst the kind of help he
is talking about is equivocal, I am wondering if he means humanitarian Aid, presence of foreign charities and intervention? Whilst Mr Lanzer is
helping to bring awareness regarding the current situation, I believe that the
Nigerian government should be taking the lead on this.
The Nigerian government should manage intervention
strategies with indigenous non-governmental organisations and experts in the
field. There is an urgent need to get the situation under control. These children's lives matter.
What these children need are not tourists in the form of development
workers or pictures of ‘celebrities’ or charitiy workers pasted on social media with dying children, looking for veneration and validation of how altruistic they are.
Intervention and development strategies need to be sustainable
and community led. Nigeria has the resources – human and material resources to handle this situation.
Nigerian government and policy makers should look inward and trust the Nigerian experts as well as work with community members.
Meanwhile, the reports of officials diverting food meant for these displaced people should be investigated. It is disappointing to read that those that should be helping are conducting themselves in such shameful manner. It is a huge shame if this is the case!
Even though Nigeria is in recession, they should be left alone to handle this situation on their own. Nigeria and other Afrian countries are not babies that cannot handle their problems.
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