Edward
Kallon, resident representative for the United Nations Development Program in
Nigeria. (United Nations Development Program)
The Lake Chad basin in Nigeria is on the brink of
famine. For seven years, Boko Haram insurgents
have descended on communities, driving people from their homes and killing
thousands. The level of destruction is breathtaking. But more shocking is the
vulnerable position survivors are in now. There are 5.7 million people in
northeast Nigeria in urgent need of food, most of them children. This number
will continue to rise unless we act.
Humanitarian aid is reaching those in need, but
with the existing funding gap, assistance will soon run out and the lives of
millions will be at risk. We must help them now. This crisis is exposing
long-standing vulnerabilities — poverty and exclusion have just made matters
worse. Seven out of 10 people lived in extreme poverty even before the crisis
began. With the majority of the two million displaced being hosted in
communities rather than in formal camps, the crisis has put enormous strain on
an already fragile system.
Women
wait for food to be distributed in the town of Banki in northeastern Nigeria.
(Florian Plaucheur / AFP-Getty Images)
But it is not safe for people to go back home.
Their communities are destroyed and members of the militant group Boko Haram
are still at large.
Stabilizing communities — both where they are
sheltering now and where they intend to return to — will enhance resilience and
help ease dependency on humanitarian aid. Communities need to be stable before
people can go home, which means restoring basic services and buildings, getting
livelihoods back up and running, and restoring security to protect the
vulnerable. When the international community adopted the Sustainable
Development Goals in 2015, we declared that no one would be left behind. This
was not meant only for those living in peaceful countries. We must ensure that
the millions who are displaced and facing famine are included — they need more
than humanitarian aid.
We don’t have to wait for people to return home to
ensure that the U.N. goal targeting
gender equality and social cohesion is addressed. More than 23% of households
in the affected areas are headed by women. This means they must be included in
decision-making during the crisis, and they must be at the table when local
governments return. That is why the United Nations Development Program is
targeting women and the most vulnerable with our support in this crisis.
We must also ensure that children have safe schools, with teachers who are paid on time. Access to education is another one of the Sustainable Development Goals and, with special attention for girls, it will help build a stronger society for Nigeria’s future.
While over 400,000 displaced children are receiving education, there is a need to rebuild schools back in their home communities so that they do not fall through the gaps when they return. That’s why UNDP has rebuilt schools and is working with the government to ensure teachers are paid on time.
Another goal focuses on decent work and economic
opportunities, which can turn the tide of poverty and food insecurity in
affected communities. More than 30% of livelihoods are agricultural, and these
have all but ground to a halt.
Farmers have not planted crops for three years.
Boko Haram has destroyed the local trade that provided vital income. Crucial
commodities are selling at massively inflated prices, and 86% of households
spend more than they earn. Yes, creating immediate employment bridges the gap
between relief and recovery, but we must focus on stabilizing economic
opportunities for the long term.
Meanwhile, another goal looks at peace and strong
institutions, and so we are facilitating work to build trust between military
and police and the communities they serve.
Small communities facing the onslaught from Boko
Haram formed vigilante groups and civilian militias. Now we must ensure that
these are incorporated into legitimate systems, or are offered other means of
income. Otherwise, we risk putting lives, as well as peace and stability, at
risk.
The Sustainable Development Goals were not designed
to be achieved in a vacuum. Whether you’re in a camp, a host community or at
home, everyone deserves a better life. Everyone deserves access to education,
health, justice, jobs and a prosperous community. We must not forget the most
vulnerable in our aim to reach the goals and must ensure that no one is left
behind.
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