The Prince of Wales has made a virtual visit to Nigeria to learn about the work of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in the northeast part of the country. The Prince, who has been patron of the organisation since January 2020, joined in on a video call with IRC staff. The Prince met doctors at the Mashamari Stabilisation Centre in Maiduguri who are treating children with malnutrition.The Prince herard of the effects COVID-19 has had in the region, and how the pandemic could push the county towards extreme hunger in the worst-case scenario.
During the call, the Prince said: “Conflict remains by far the largest driver of hunger, and the climate crisis, of course, helps to compound this. And then again, on top of it all, you have the Covid-19 pandemic, creating a devastating impact on the countries who can least afford it.
“I hope one day, before too long, with travel and so on, I should be able to come back to Nigeria and see what you’re doing. In the meantime, bless you, and thank you for all your marvellous work.”
The International Rescue Committee helps people affected by humanitarian crises to survive, recover, and rebuild their lives. The IRC provides health care and educational opportunities along with teaching communities to be self-reliant. Humanitarian needs continue to rise in northeast Nigeria because of conflict, climate change, and the pandemic. Currently, there are 10.6 million people who are in need of urgent help, and it’s expected about 5.1 million people in Adamawa, Yobe, and Borno states will be food insecure by July 2021.
“In his call, Charles said: “At a time when humanitarian needs have increased by 40% in the last year alone, the IRC’s work has never been more critical.
“Conflict remains by far the largest driver of hunger, and the climate crisis, of course, helps to compound this. And then again, on top of it all, you have the Covid-19 pandemic, creating a devastating impact on the countries who can least afford it.”
The Prince most recently visited the county back in 2018 on a trip with the Duchess of Cornwall. During their tour of West Africa, the Prince heard stories and experiences from youth peace ambassadors, met members of the British Military Training and Advisory Team, and attended a roundtable on accounting for sustainability. As for the Duchess, she met children taking part in a literary workshop and joined a discussion of ideas for a future Women of the World Festival (WOW) in Nigeria.