Los Angeles Times: Stabilizing vulnerable communities in Nigeria is key for easing dependency on humanitarian aid
Edward Kallon, resident representative for the United Nations Development Program in Nigeria

“…Humanitarian aid is reaching those in need [in northeast Nigeria], but with the existing funding gap, assistance will soon run out and the lives of millions will be at risk. We must help them now. This crisis is exposing long-standing vulnerabilities — poverty and exclusion have just made matters worse. … Stabilizing communities — both where they are sheltering now and where they intend to return to — will enhance resilience and help ease dependency on humanitarian aid. Communities need to be stable before people can go home, which means restoring basic services and buildings, getting livelihoods back up and running, and restoring security to protect the vulnerable. When the international community adopted the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, we declared that no one would be left behind. This was not meant only for those living in peaceful countries. … Whether you’re in a camp, a host community, or at home, everyone deserves a better life. Everyone deserves access to education, health, justice, jobs, and a prosperous community. We must not forget the most vulnerable in our aim to reach the goals and must ensure that no one is left behind” (5/4).