U.S. Announces $533m In Humanitarian Assistance For Nigeria, Others

Rex Tillerson, US secretary of state

The U.S. has announced about 533 million dollars in humanitarian assistance for Nigeria, Ethiopia, lia, and South Sudan, as well as countries in the Lake Chad region. Naija News Gathers

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said millions of people were facing life-threatening food insecurity and malnutrition as a result of ongoing conflict or prolonged drought in the countries.

Tillerson said: “today I’m announcing $533 million in additional humanitarian assistance to fight famine and food insecurity and address other needs resulting from conflicts in lia, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and the Lake Chad Basin.

“The alarming levels of hunger in these areas are largely man-made, as conflicts erupt and people flee their homes.

“Under these conditions, people cannot produce crops and often lose access altogether to food, education, and health care. Many lose everything.

“And regrettably, Mother Nature can still be cruel, such as in the Horn of Africa, where a prolonged drought is contributing to grave food insecurity”.

The humanitarian assistance includes more than $110 million for affected populations from lia.

Tillerson  also  stressed that fact that

“However, this assistance will not solve these ongoing conflicts, but only buy us time – time to pursue diplomatic solutions,”

According to him, ultimately it is up to the leaders in these countries, particularly in South Sudan, to stop the violence and put the welfare of their citizens at the forefront of their actions. Naija News learnt

He said millions would continue to be at risk as long as parties to these conflicts continue to engage in violence, calling on all parties to allow aid workers safe and unhindered access to help communities in need.