The United Nations has revealed that the Islamist Militant Group, Boko Haram since its resurgence in 2009 has caused $9 billion worth of damage in Nigeria’s northeast by destroying homes, schools, bridges and roads.

The president of the UN Security Council, Matthew Rycroft (photo), who disclosed this during a visit to Maiduguri, said Borno state alone recorded losses valued at $6.2 billion. Over the past eight years, Boko Haram has captured towns and destroyed villages in an effort to impose its version of Islamic law in Nigeria, a country of more than 180 million people.

According to Rycroft, the global body is willing to increase its support to the region as many who escaped the violence are now faced with a humanitarian crisis. “The number of displaced is shocking, the number of children suffering from malnutrition is alarming. It is like suffering twice,” he said. He added that the U.K. will donate more money to help tackle the crisis but did not specify how much.

In the same framework, last month, Norway pledged $189.7 million over three years to Nigeria and the Lake Chad basin that have been affected by the violence.

Anita Fatunji