- Launch famine prevention and humanitarian crises compact for troubled region
From Olukayode Idowu, Abuja
Members of the G7 yesterday call for an immediate action from the international community to prevent a further decline in the North East crisis.
The countries said it is imperative for the wider international community to significantly increase their humanitarian support to the North East crisis
Leading other ambassadors from the G7 member countries and representatives of the World Bank, European Union, United Nations, Norway and Switzerland to a press conference marking the official launch of G7 Famine Prevention and Humanitarian Crises Compact in Abuja, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, said the G7 is concerned by scale of crisis in the North East and numbers of people inaccessible to humanitarian aid.
She revealed that G7 met with the Federal Government of Nigeria, State Governments of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, and multilateral partners to launch the G7 Famine Prevention and Humanitarian Compact.
Catriona said this is the first ever G7 action plan to save millions of lives from famine and humanitarian crises, including $382 million from North East Nigeria.
She noted that the landmark commitment agreed by the G7 in May this year is critical to tackle the root causes of famine and address the sharply rising numbers of people in need of lifesaving aid.
“The Compact commits G7 members to urgently provide an initial $7 billion in humanitarian assistance to 42 countries one step from catastrophe or famine, with further funding to follow over the course of this year. The initial funding includes $382 million for North East Nigeria,” Catriona revealed.
She also disclosed that Compact also commits the G7 to working with the World Bank to help fragile and conflict-affected countries build their capacity to prepare for, and respond to crises, including through shock-responsive and social protection systems.
Delegates at the launch noted that together they have the capacity to strengthen early warning and real-time analysis through data collection and coordination to ensure more timely and informed decision making.
Also at the launch event, attendees stressed that humanitarian access must be improved to ensure lifesaving aid reaches all conflict-affected communities. They also committed to work collectively to promote respect for, and abidance to, International Humanitarian Law and the protection of civilians.
In 2020, G7 countries comprising of UK, United States, Canada, Germany, Japan, Italy and France provided almost 80 percent of the humanitarian funding to the 42 countries with populations one step from catastrophe or famine targeted by the Compact