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Tayo Olanipekun
The United States Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, on Tuesday, announced an over $128m humanitarian assistance for Nigeria and countries in the Lake Chad region.
The amount was part of the $533m aid the U.S. is handing out to the country alongside the people of Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan and countries in the Lake Chad region.
This assistance is in response to the plight of millions of people facing “life-threatening food insecurity and malnutrition as a result of ongoing conflict or prolonged drought,” according to a statement by the U.S. Department of State, made available to National Wire on Wednesday.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Department of State provided the funding through which the vulnerable populations are expected to secure emergency food and nutrition assistance, including tens of thousands of tons of in-kind food aid.
“The funding supports safe drinking water programs, emergency health care and hygiene programs to treat and prevent the spread of disease, and reunification of families separated by conflict.
“This assistance also includes life-saving medical supplies, improved sanitation, and emergency shelter, and prioritizes programs that protect vulnerable groups,” explained the statement.
The Department of State, however, urged the leaders of the countries, particularly in South Sudan, to stop the violence and put the welfare of their citizens at the forefront of their actions.
It noted further that “humanitarian aid is truly life-saving,” adding also that “this assistance will not solve these crises, most of which are largely manmade,” and calling on all parties to allow aid workers safe and unhindered access to help communities in need.
The United States has donated nearly $3bn humanitarian assistance to African countries facing one form of crisis or the other since the beginning of Fiscal Year 2017 and has also encouraged additional contributions to meet growing needs.
