Donors pledge $672m in aid for Boko Haram-hit Lake Chad region

The New York Times 17:01 - 24 February 2017

More than 10.7 million people in the Lake Chad area are in need of food, clean water and medical care

The amount was pledged over three years, and was aimed at helping 10.7 million people in need.

Donor countries meeting in Oslo on Friday pledged $672 million (634 million euros) in emergency aid for people threatened by famine in the Lake Chad region, which has been hard hit by Boko Haram, hosts Norway said.

The UN has previously said it hoped to raise $1.5 billion in 2017 for the region, which includes Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad.

The United States, whose new administration has said it intends to slash its development aid budget, was not among the 14 countries that pledged money in Oslo.

"The US said they would come back with their contribution, so it is not factored in" to Friday's sum, Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende said during a press conference.

Of the $672 million announced on Friday, $457 million has been earmarked for 2017 alone.

UN Under-Secretary General Stephen O'Brien said he was optimistic the overall target of $1.5 billion for the year would be met.

"In one morning we have raised a third of that," he said.

The eight-year conflict between the Nigerian army and Boko Haram militants has devastated the region.

With the sums pledged, "we're only touching the tip of the needs. Nevertheless we're hugely grateful," Nigerian Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama said.