Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to support (1) Nigeria, and (2) neighbouring countries, to address any threat to regional stability by (a) Boko Haram, and (b) the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA), in the last 18 months; and how many people they estimate have been displaced in that period as a result of the actions by (1) Boko Haram, and (2) ISWA.

The UK Government is supporting Nigeria and its neighbours in the fight against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa (ISWA). These terrorist groups have caused immense suffering to local communities in North East Nigeria and the wider Lake Chad Basin region. We are providing a comprehensive package of assistance in support of efforts to bring stability to this region. For example, we help fund the Lake Chad Basin Regional Stabilisation Facility, implemented by the UN Development Programme, to strengthen community security, provide basic services and support livelihoods. Our contribution was £2 million in the financial year 2019-20. Additionally, we have provided funding and operational support for the Multinational Joint Task Force, a regional force coordinating military efforts for regional security.

Over two million people have been displaced as a result of the ongoing conflict in North East Nigeria and 10.6 million are in need of humanitarian assistance. We work closely with the UN and international partners to provide life-saving assistance to people affected by the conflict.