The UN expert on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Chaloka Beyani, says the huge displacement and humanitarian crisis caused by Boko Haram in Northeast requires urgent life-saving and protection measures.

 Beyani stated this in a statement issued in Geneva on Monday and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

 Beyani expressed concern about the lack of international attention and resources to meet the immense needs in the region and called on donors to provide generous support to meet immediate needs.

 He also urged donors’ support to enhance IDPs’ long-term support, to ensure their return, reconstruction and durable solutions as well as stability and social cohesion in the region.

 The UN expert called on the Federal Government and the international community to take urgent humanitarian measures to save lives and protect hundreds of thousands of IDPs in the northeast.

 Beyani described the situation resulting from the Boko Haram terror campaign and Government counter-insurgency measures as “displaying all the hallmarks of the highest category crises”.

 “We are only starting to get a grip of the gravity and extent of the crisis as civilians, including children, leave newly liberated areas.

 “They bear the signs of advanced malnutrition, and of deep trauma, having been caught in a conflict that has cost them their homes, their livelihoods and often their family members.”

 The expert noted that the fighting in the northeast had created more than 2.5 million IDPs in the region.

 “The situation must no longer be downplayed and it is not too late to save many lives.

 “But to do this, the Government must act urgently to ensure that food, shelter, medical care, water, sanitation and other essential services reach IDPs without delay.

 “Due to a gross underestimation of the crisis, the existing supplies will only cover needs for a very short period of time.

 “The existing supplies will soon be outstripped by demands in the weeks or months ahead,” he said.

 According to him, the vast majority of IDPs live outside camps and receive little or no assistance.

 He said urgent steps were required to identify those people and assess their needs, particularly those of the most vulnerable.

 Beyani added that required to be identified were the needs of host communities who were supporting the IDPs with their own resources.
The Special Rapporteur, who visited IDP camps in the Maiduguri area, said many people within the camps in newly liberated areas might be faring little better.

 “Food is scarce and many survive on one basic meal per day while medical care is insufficient. Civilians also require urgent protection, psychosocial support and counseling.

 “Humanitarian agencies have little access to some areas due to security concerns and have been targeted by Boko Haram.

 “Boko Haram terror activities have been contained by the Nigerian military but still pose a significant threat and danger,” he stated.

 The Special Rapporteur acknowledged several positive measures taken by the Federal Government such as a plan for rehabilitating the northeast and the establishment of oversight systems by the National Assembly.

 He thanked the federal and the Borno governments for their cooperation on his mandate