The UN says it will make a strong case for the humanitarian crisis in North Eastern

The summit is scheduled to hold from May 23
to May 24.
The UN Under-Secretary-General for
Humanitarian Affairs,
Stephen O’Brien , made
this known in an interview with the News
Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.
O’Brien said the humanitarian crisis in the North
East would be brought to the attention of world
leaders.
``The humanitarian crisis in the Lake Chad Basin
is appalling and that is why precisely I’m here,
so we have to personally witness the
testimonies and discuss the priority.
``When you look at the scale of the
humanitarian needs here in the Lake Chad
Basin, we want to make sure that it is front and
centre in the minds of the world communities
as they assemble in Istanbul.
``They will think about these issues and how we
can meet the humanitarian needs of people in
crisis.
``The Lake Chad basin represents a very serious
current issue where all the factors that
contribute to humanitarian needs are coming
together at one time.
``The summit holds prospects for drawing
attention to this humanitarian crisis here in the
North East.
``It is very important that we bring this to the
attention of all the world leaders and member-
states as well as the humanitarian actors, who
will be attending,’’ he said.
According to him, there will be a special side
event to launch an appeal for the humanitarian
crisis in the Lake Chad Basin.
He said: ``We will have Governor Kashim
Shettima there and we will have some people
from other agencies such as the International
Committee of the Red Cross.
``Myself and others, who have got the eye
witness evidence, will bring this to the attention
of the world community because it is a priority
to support the humanitarian needs around the
world.
``We need to expose the humanitarian crisis in
the North East to the world’s attention and in
order to secure the resources that will enable
us to meet the needs.``
According to O’Brien, there is currently a UN
appeal for 248 million dollars for the North East.
He, however, said that the estimate was
inadequate and should be increased.
He said the request was being reviewed upward
to 318 million dollars as an additional 70 million
dollars was required to address the food
shortage being experienced by the people in the
area.
The UN official, who arrived in Nigeria on
Wednesday, had carried out an assessment of
the humanitarian situation in the area ravaged
by years of insurgency.