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The Danish government announced today that it will provide additional $2.9 million (20 million Kroner) to aid UNICEF’s humanitarian efforts in rehabilitating children and ex-child soldiers who have escaped the control of Boko Haram, an Islamist extremist group based in northeastern Nigeria and neighbouring communities.

The announcement was made at an on-going conference taking place in Norway. The conference is being hosted by the Norwegian, Nigerian and German governments in collaboration with the United Nations.

Denmark’s Minister for Development Cooperation, Ulla Tørnæs, speaking at the conference, called attention to the very disturbing extent of the humanitarian crisis in some states in the northeast of Nigeria. She explained that the Danish government’s donation would be used for the treatment of undernourished children, provide access to portable water, education and the reintegration of ex-child soldiers into society.

“On my trip to Niger in January this year, I witnessed the poverty and instability that is indicative of great portions of the region,” Tørnæs said. “It affects innocent children and their families. The nations don’t have the opportunity to take care of the many people who have fled and have been displaced by the conflict with Boko Haram. So we will contribute a further 20 million kroner in humanitarian aid to Nigeria and its neighbours.”

Over the last two years, the Danish government said it has contributed over $7.1 million (50 million Kroner) in humanitarian aid to regions affected by Boko Haram conflicts, such boarder communities in Cameroon, Chad and Niger, as well as communities in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states in Nigeria’s north-east.

In Nigeria alone, Denmark previously contributed $6.3 million to assist victims of Boko Haram insurgence.

The Norwegian conference aims to discuss the current food crisis in Nigeria and increase pressure on richer countries to muster funds to prevent a second occurrence in North-east Nigeria. The UN and humanitarian agencies say more than $1 billion is needed in aids.