"In Konduga and Bama, we saw villages that have been burned down, markets that have been destroyed, and lives that have been completely wrecked. I think it is important that international communities stand with the people of Borno, Yobe, Adamwa and the Nigerian government."
The United Nations announced on Tuesday that it is prepared to partner with the Borno State government to tackle abject poverty in the region.
UN Secretary Assistant and Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Sahel Region, Mr. Toby Lanzer, stated this in Maiduguri shortly after his team's visit to Bama town on Tuesday.
"I think my visit to Borno State is testimony that indeed, the United Nations is concerned about Borno State and the Northeast region. The humanitarian situation here is terribly serious and is one the worst in the world,” Mr. Lanzer said.
"In Konduga and Bama, we saw villages that have been burned down, markets that have been destroyed, and lives that have been completely wrecked. I think it is important that international communities stand with the people of Borno, Yobe, Adamwa and the Nigerian government."
Mr. Lanzer emphasized that the root of the violence in the Northeast is abject poverty, which causes individuals to resort to violence in efforts to escape destitution.
According to Mr. Lanzer, $200m has been set-aside for the Northeast, but he wants other countries to assist the region in order to enable children to attend schools and farmers to improve their harvests.
“I am impressed with Governor Kashim Shettima's commitment to the people of Borno State. The United Nations is ready to join hands with the Borno State government to create jobs for the youths and to help the 2.2m people who have been displaced in this region," he disclosed.
He concluded that while much has been done to improve conditions in the region, there is still significant work left to do in order to bring stability and peace to Borno State.