Daily Noon Briefing Highlights – 2 December 2020
Nigeria
In Nigeria, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Edward Kallon today concluded a condolence visit to the families of the victims of the 28 November violent attack against civilians in Zabarmari rural community, and to Borno State authorities.
Tens of civilian farmers harvesting on rice farms in Zarbamari community lost their lives in the attack by non-state armed group operatives sparking outrage across the country and internationally. Details on human losses are still coming in, with the search for missing people ongoing and more bodies being recovered.
Humanitarian Coordinator Kallon met with the immediate families of the victims and community leaders who recalled the incident’s unspeakable cruelty. Idris Ahmad, one of the farmers he met, spoke of the trauma farmers are going through as many had their throats slit by assailants armed with machetes.
Following the attack, rural communities are fearful for their lives and those of their children and have not returned to the farms. They dread the harvest is entirely lost.
Some 4.3 million people are critically food insecure in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states. The number could reach 5.1 million over the lean season, between June and August next year, according to official data.
The Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator also reiterated his call for abducted women and girls to be immediately released and for their safe return to their communities.
Mr. Kallon also met with local and regional leaders who highlighted the need to stabilize and develop the northeast Nigeria region.
Ethiopia
The United Nations in Ethiopia and the Federal Government have signed an agreement that seeks to enable humanitarians to have unimpeded, sustained and secure access for humanitarian personnel and services to areas under the control of the Federal Government in Tigray, and the bordering areas of Amhara and Afar regions.
The UN and humanitarian partners in Ethiopia are engaging with the Federal Government of Ethiopia and all parties to the conflict to ensure that humanitarian action in Tigray, Amhara and Afar regions is strictly based on needs, and carried out in compliance with the globally-agreed principles of humanity, impartiality, independence and neutrality. This includes working to ensure that people impacted by the conflict are assisted without distinction of any kind other than the urgency of their needs.
Today, 2 December, an assessment and response mission is taking place in Afar, in areas bordering Tigray, to reach people who have been internally displaced by the conflict.
SOURCE: OCHA
