US, UK, Germany, 4 others commit £276 million to humanitarian response in North East

The G7 has agreed to commit £276 million to humanitarian response in Nigeria’s troubled North East.

The Group of Seven (G7) is an intergovernmental organisation consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The heads of government of the member states, as well as the representatives of the European Union, meet at the annual G7 Summit.

A press statement signed by the Policy and Communications Manager at the British High Commission in Nigeria, Elva Lynch-Bathgate, said the G7 compact agreed last week to address humanitarian crises, with North East Nigeria identified as one of three priority contexts.

She said the United Kingdom drove this coordinated action, which includes a commitment of £276 million from G7 countries to support the humanitarian response in the North East.

She noted that by this action millions of lives would be saved from famine and humanitarian crises, with landmark collective action significantly increasing early action, supporting the UN to more than double its plans to tackle droughts, epidemics and other catastrophes before they strike.

The statement further said the UK is driving co-ordinated action to tackle shared global challenges of COVID-19, famine and climate change, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab announced on 5th May 2021 as he wrapped up the G7 Foreign and Development Ministers meeting.

It said atthe meeting, which took place in London, G7 countries agreed action to protect the most vulnerable people around the world from climate-related disasters, help millions of people at imminent risk of famine, humanitarian crises and ensure equitable access to life-saving COVID-19 vaccines.

It lamented that the triple threat of conflict, COVID-19 and climate change has meant the risk of famine is now a devastating reality many countries face, with millions of people in Yemen, South Sudan and North East Nigeria already in crisis.

The statement read in part that: “On Wednesday the UK coordinated a landmark commitment by G7 countries to tackle the root causes of famine and address the sharply rising numbers of people in need of lifesaving aid. This agreement commits G7 nations to urgently provide an initial £5 billion in humanitarian assistance to 42 countries one step from catastrophe or famine, with further funding to follow over the course of this year. The initial funding includes £1 billion in aid prioritised to the three countries at greatest risk – Yemen, South Sudan and Nigeria – to be provided as soon as possible to save lives.”

It said: “The UK has been a leading donor to the humanitarian response in North East Nigeria since the international effort scaled up in 2016. The UK is providing a comprehensive package of support to address the root causes of conflict and provide humanitarian assistance to meet the immediate needs of conflict-affected communities in Nigeria.

“UK humanitarian funding is delivered by UN agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in areas where it is needed most and according to humanitarian principles of independence, impartiality, neutrality, and humanity; with respect for the dignity of those affected. UK support includes provision of lifesaving food and treatment of malnutrition.”

It said: “This is not only about money. It is also about diplomatic action, smarter financing and more effective responses to crises. As well as addressing critical funding gaps, the UK and G7 committed to act earlier to avert crises, including by strengthening data and analysis to facilitate early action.”