Around 4.3 million individuals, with more than half being children, have been impacted by a complex situation marked by war, natural disasters caused by climate change, famine, and disease outbreaks.

The situation worsened for them in July 2023 when a military takeover occurred, causing political turmoil.

Edem Wosornu, the Operations Director for the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), informed journalists in New York through a video call from Niamey, the capital, that the individuals are in immediate need of assistance.

There is a need for immediate action that prioritizes people, as stated by her.

“We must take action immediately, prioritizing individuals as our focus.”
— Edem Wosornu, OCHA

“If we fail to assist them promptly, we will miss the opportunity to plant crops and provide the necessary support to help them overcome their challenges.”

Since Monday, Ms. Wosornu has been in a landlocked country in West Africa, meeting with officials, humanitarian groups, and impacted communities. She also traveled to Diffa, a remote area in the southeast, where people who have escaped from Boko Haram militants in Nigeria have found refuge.

“I see hope in the eyes.”

Although the refugees, specifically women and children, are facing difficult circumstances, Ms. Wosornu expressed feeling a strong sense of optimism and determination within the communities.

She stated that the stories she heard demonstrate exactly what we, as humanitarians, should do with the help of the larger global community. This includes mobilizing efficient aid to save lives and creating opportunities for individuals to become self-sufficient again.

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She stated that as we enter the new year, our goal is to provide assistance to the people in Niger, addressing their urgent needs and working towards long-term solutions.

The United Nations’ humanitarian initiatives need around $662 million, but there has been a decline in funding and challenges in reaching affected communities.

The director of OCHA stated that if we do not have the necessary funds and access, we will not be able to efficiently and promptly reach the people we need to help.

Translate words into deeds

Ms. Wosornu reiterated the recent remarks made by UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths and other members of the Interagency Standing Committee (IASC), highlighting the widespread agreement to aid the individuals living in the Sahel region.

She stated that there has been a collective understanding for a long time that the people of the Sahel region need our assistance. The moment has arrived to put these sentiments into practice.

It is currently important to support the people in Sahel, particularly those from Niger.

Source: news.un.org