The United Nations (UN) has launched a $1bn (£720m) appeal to help north-eastern Nigeria – the region devastated by Boko Haram’s insurgency for almost a decade.

The UN office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs says the money will provide life-saving emergency assistance to the most vulnerable.

Nearly eight million people are in need of some form of humanitarian assistance this year alone.

The food and nutrition crisis is also massive, according to the UN agency.

The UN humanitarian agency, which launched the appeal at an event in the Nigerian capital Abuja, says the strategy will be implemented in conjunction with the Nigerian government and other international partners.

The Boko Haram conflict has caused widespread displacement, destruction of infrastructure and collapse of basic services.