Forgotten humanitarian crisis in north-east Nigeria

A “forgotten crisis” is taking place in north-eastern Nigeria which the UN humanitarian affairs office (OCHA) warns could be the worst on the African continent. Seven years of insecurity sparked by the terrorist group Boko Haram has affected up to 15 million people in four states, leading to mass displacement. It has also caused a major food shortage as agricultural production has stalled. As a result, some 400,000 children face starvation. Dianne Penn asked OCHA Public Information Officer Órla Fagan about the extent of the crisis.

Somalia’s Gaalkacyo “tense, volatile” as people continue to flee fighting

The situation in Gaalkacyo, Somalia is “tense, volatile and has the potential to break out in renewed fighting” the head of the UN humanitarian agency in the country has said. Fighting in the area has continued for the third week, leaving 18 people dead and 60 injured since early October. Humanitarian partners estimate that more than 75,000 people have been displaced, but the numbers could get higher as people continue to flee. Speaking on the line from the Somali capital Mogadishu, Justin Brady – who recently returned from the area - gave more details to Jocelyne Sambira.

“Action is at the base” of implementing New Urban Agenda

When it comes to the New Urban Agenda for world cities, action needs to start at “the base”, and not come from the top-down. That’s the view of Alima Sagito, a grassroots campaigner from Ghana, speaking at the UN’s recent conference on the future of world cities, known as Habitat 3, which was held in Quito, Ecuador. The New Urban Agenda was adopted during the conference by national and local governments, together with hundreds of NGOs and civil society groups from across the world. Matthew Wells spoke to Ms Sagito at the conference and asked her to describe her own city of Tamele, in northern Ghana.

Presenter: Dianne Penn

Production Assistant: Sandra Guy

Duration: 10’00"