UN: 120,000 Nigerians face famine created by Islamic terror group

Boko Haram has had a huge impact on agriculture in Nigeria as a result of the large-scale population displacement and restrictions imposed on agricultural activities, causing famine-like conditions. 

More than 120,000 Nigerians likely will suffer “catastrophic” famine-like conditions caused by Boko Haram’s Islamic uprising, among 11 million confronting severe food shortages this year, according to a new United Nations report.

The report from the Food and Agriculture Organization predicts Africa’s biggest humanitarian crisis in northeast Nigeria likely will deteriorate during the “lean” food season between June and August.

“Trends show that food security and nutrition are worsening,” according to the report. Some “8.7 million people are expected to be in crisis: 2 million in emergency and 121 000 in famine conditions, bringing the total number of severely food-insecure people to 11 million.”

Boko Haram has had a huge impact on agriculture as a result of the large-scale population displacement and the restrictions imposed on agricultural activities, leading to a sharp drop in planted areas in some states, the report said.

Worst affected is Borno state, the birthplace of Boko Haram, which may hold 65 percent of those “expected to face famine conditions.”

UN agencies have reported that children already are dying in that region, and some 515,000 face death if they don’t get help.

Corruption and conflict between the government and aid agencies is compounding the crisis. Officials are investigating reports that local government agencies are stealing food aid.

By: AP and United with Israel Staff