UNICEF will continue to provide assistance to millions of conflict-affected children in northeast Nigeria, despite an attack on its convoy by Boko Haram Islamists, the United Nations children’s agency has said.
Advertisement
Unicef said in a statement on its website that unknown assailants ambushed the convoy on Thursday as it was traveling from Bama to Maiduguri.
Unfortunately, two soldiers and three civilians were wounded in the ambush, among whom were staff of United Nations agencies and other worldwide humanitarian organizations.
Almost 250,00 children in Borno suffer from life-threatening malnourishment and around one in five will die if they do not receive treatment, UNICEF said earlier this month.
A source who was close to the action has revealed that troops from the Nigerian intervened timeously in the attack, forcing insurgents to retreat while saving those who had been injured.
Over half a million people are said to be living in unsanitary conditions in several villages and town across the state of Borno.
A Doctors Without Borders representative said most Banki residents have been in hiding for more than a year because of Boko Haram violence.
Oxfam’s country director described the humanitarian situation in Borno, where the attack took place, as “desperate”.
Boko Haram has pledged allegiance to the so-called Islamic State.
The Council 15 members strongly condemned all attacks perpetrated by the terrorist group Boko Haram, particularly in the Lake Chad Basin, and in Mali, Cte dIvoire, Burkina Faso and in the Sahel region.
Also UNICEF said on Saturday that it will continue providing aid in the northeast despite attack on humanitarian convoy last Thursday which left aid workers injured.
Boko Haram seized Bama in September 2014 in a deadly raid that forced thousands to flee.
Advertisement
“We’re gradually discovering the extent of this crisis and we are particularly concerned for the inhabitants of the remote areas that we have not been able to access”, Robert says.
