The S&D Group in the European Parliament strongly condemns the continuing attacks by Boko Haram in Northern Nigeria which have led to the mass displacement of innocent children and calls for immediate coordinated international assistance.
Following today's adoption by the European Parliament of a resolution on the mass displacement of children in Nigeria as a result of Boko Haram attacks, Gianni Pittella, president of the Socialist and Democrat Group in the European Parliament, said:
"We call for immediate coordinated international help to assist the work of UN agencies and NGOs in preventing the displaced children and youth from being subjected to sexual slavery, other sexual violence, kidnappings and forced armed conflict by the terrorist sect Boko Haram against civilian, government and military targets in Nigeria.
"We call on the European Commission to prioritise help to assist uprooted children and youth in Nigeria as well as in Cameroon, Chad and Niger with particular attention on protection from all forms of violence and access to education.
"We call on donors to meet their commitments without delay in order to address the chronic need for access to basic provisions such as drinking water, basic health care and education."
The S&D Group reiterates its call for the Nigerian authorities to develop a concrete programme for the social and economic development of the northern and southern states in order to address the issues of poverty, inequality, educational opportunities and access to healthcare.
