Australia has pledged additional N1.6bn (five million dollars) assistance to address the humanitarian situation in North-East Nigeria.
Australian Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop on Wednesday in Abuja said the fund would be delivered by the World Food Programme and Red Cross, according to a statement by Australian High Commission Public Affairs Officer, Hope Ayabina.
The minister said the fund was to help meet the needs of over 7 million people at risk of starvation in northeast Nigeria as a result of conflict and drought.
He said this include 1.4 million acutely malnourished children in the area.
“This funding supplements Australia’s regular funding to the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund and humanitarian organisations to respond to humanitarian crises globally, including in Africa.
“In 2016 and 2017 Australia contributed a total of 15.7 million dollars for humanitarian assistance in North-East Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin.
“The Australian High Commission in Abuja also supports these larger multilateral efforts through its Direct Aid Programme,” Bishop said.
According to the minister, the High Commission in 2017 is providing assistance to organisations to deliver projects including clean cook stoves and income generating activities for Internally Displaced Persons.
He said that this also include production and distribution of nutritional supplements.
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