By Dipo Olowookere
The government of Canada has said it would help Nigeria South Sudan, Somalia and Yemen fight the devastating food crises in the countries.
Conflicts in north eastern part of Nigeria caused by Boko Haram insurgents have left many in the region in dire need of food.
Also, a devastating drought affecting Somalia has left more than 20 million people facing extreme food insecurity, with famine already declared in parts of South Sudan.
Earlier this month, the United Nations appealed for humanitarian aid urgently, saying that this is the largest humanitarian crisis since the end of the Second World War.
Last week, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Mr Ahmed D. Hussen, on behalf of the Minister of International Development, Marie-Claude Bibeau, and La Francophonie, announced that Canada will provide $119.25 million in humanitarian funding to respond to needs of crisis-affected people in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen.
The funding announced will help provide life-saving assistance to crisis-affected people in these countries and will take into account the specific needs of women and children. It will include the provision of food and nutrition, health care services, clean water and sanitation facilities, and livelihoods support.
While most humanitarian partners have been able to deliver life-saving assistance to those in need, insecurity due to conflicts and a lack of respect for international humanitarian law has hindered the response. Canada calls on all parties to provide a safe and immediate access for humanitarian workers and allow them to do their work.
