Tens of thousands of people in Nigeria die due to hunger affecting the areas where Islamists militant group Boko Haram is active, the United Nations humanitarian coordinator for the region, Toby Lanzer, said.
About 65,000 people are in a “catastrophe” or “phase 5” situation, according to a food security assessment by the IPC, the recognised classification system on declaring famines.
Phase 5 applies when, even with humanitarian assistance, “starvation, death and destitution” are evident.
Boko Haram militants have killed about 15,000 people and displaced more than two million others in their seven-year insurgency.
Despite losing ground to the Nigerian army, the militant group still launches attacks in the West African country.
“This is the first time I’ve come across people talking about phase 5. The reason for that was simply a lack of access. We couldn’t get to places,” Lanzer said.
“Because of the insecurity sown almost exclusively by Boko Haram, people have missed three planting seasons.”
The Nigerian army is however confident it will crush Boko Haram and end its terror activities.
