The United Nations on Friday said $1bn was needed for the provision of aid to victims of Book Haram terrorism in Northeast Nigeria in 2017.

UN Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator Peter Lundberg in a statement said the Boko Haram menace was the largest in Africa, stating that hope can be brought to the victims through support from the international community.

“The narrative on this humanitarian crisis can no longer be ignored and we are appealing to the international community to help us prevent the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians over the coming 12 months.

“This is the largest crisis on the African continent and I am confident that with the support of the international community and the private sector, we can begin to bring hope to the people of the northeast,” he said.

He added, “A projected 5.1 million people will face serious food shortages as the conflict and risk of unexploded improvised devices prevented farmers planting for a third year in a row, causing a major food crisis.”

Azeez