As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate and commemorate the 2024 World Humanitarian Day (WHD), the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, in collaboration with the Economic Communities of West African States (ECOWAS), National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) and EMNAMU Foundation have recognised and awarded outstanding Humanitarian Aid Workers and Institutions with operation vehicles as well as food and non-food items and cash donations to Internally Displaced Persons in (IDP) camps.
This was disclosed by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Abel Enitan during the 2024 WHD celebration held at Malkohi Internally Displaced Persons Camp, in Yola, Adamawa State on Monday 19th August, 2024.
He said that the World Humanitarian Day is a global event that holds on the 19th of August of every year and Nigeria was the first African Country to take the lead in hosting the event on the 19th of August, 2012 and has been consistent in marking the day every year.
“This day is dedicated to honouring humanitarian aid workers in Nigeria and around the world, who often risk their lives to help save and improve that of others.
“These exceptional heroes are working tirelessly to provide the much-needed assistance to the most vulnerable people affected by crisis across the six geopolitical zones of the country, thereby ameliorating their sufferings.
“We are here to salute their commitment and recognize the sacrifices they and their families make every day.
It is noteworthy that these distinguished Humanitarian Aid Workers are mainly found within the National and International Non-Governmental Organisations and are either doctors, nurses, host community members, academia or simply fathers, mothers, neighbors and thousands of people guided by their dedication to humanity. Their efforts are driven by the noble cause of helping others for non- financial or other benefits”.
Enitan urged all stakeholders in the humanitarian space to make a special provision within their various organizations to honour staff and appreciate their commitment.
The theme for this year’s World Humanitarian Day event, “Act for Humanity”. According to the Permanent Secretary, “this illustrates the need to build public pressure to mobilize relevant government institutions, both at national and sub-national levels, United Nations Agencies, and other non-state actors, to ensure the protection of humanitarian workers and civilians, while harnessing our collective public outrage to demand accountability for violations of International Humanitarian Laws and other national norms”.
“As we mark this year’s World Humanitarian Day, let us encourage all humanitarian aid workers and their institutions to remain undaunted in the face of mounting challenges”.
The Permanent Secretary appreciated the Government and the entire good people of Adamawa state and the UNOCHA for facilitating the hosting of the event as well as the Founder of Emnamu Foundation for his huge support, the ECOWAS Commission and NCFRMI for the donations for the IDPs.
• Items donated include Rice (10kg) 200 bags,
• Rice (25kg) 220 bags, Beans (15kg) 50 bags
• Maggi 25 cartons,
• Semovita 100 bags,
• Vegetable Oil 40 cartons, Dates 1000 cartons, Millet 15 bags, Indomie 100 cartons, operation vehicles and cash donations.
The President and Founder, EMNAMU Foundation, Emmanuel N. Musa stated that the foundation has brought succor and ameliorated the untold hardship to the underprivileged in the Society. It has assisted and provided jobs for the unemployed youths, provided source of livelihood for the vulnerable, planted over 50,000 trees to combat climate change and build schools for the children.
He flag off the donation of operation vehicles to aid workers and institutions, donated N500million entrepreneurship assistance to reduce Poverty and promote equality as well as made cash donations to Persons Living with Disability at PWD rehabilitation and Employment Centre, Nasarawo, Yola.
The Executive Governor of Adamawa State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, speaking through the Deputy Governor of the state, Her Excellency, Professor Kaletapwa Farauta thank the Federal government and partners for choosing the state for celebrating the 2024 WHD.
He noted that Adamawa State has had a fare share of conflicts, displacements and natural disasters but the state has done a lot to support the victims over the years.
He pledged the state’s continued support for Humanitarian interventions and provision of enabling environment for aid workers to Act for Humanity.
The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordination in Nigeria, Mohamed Malik Fall commended Humanitarian Aid workers in the incredible work that they are doing to save lives and alleviate suffering. He called on all stakeholders to collaborate and Act for Humanity to put an end to their plight.
Malik Fall said resources available for Humanitarian intervention is limited but partnership between governments and the UN, INGOs, National NGOs can bring hope to the people in need.
He recognized the dedication of the Humanitarian actors including health workers who occupy a the unique position. “They symbolise hope and people are counting on them. They are to be supported and protected”, he added.
A cultural dance was presented by women living in the IDP camp in which the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Abel Enitan participated along with other dignitaries to identify with them.
The high point of the event was the symbolic presentation of food and non-food items, cash donations to IDPs as well as donations of operation vehicles to Outstanding Humanitarian Aid Workers and Institutions by dignitaries at the event.
Earlier, a symposium was organised at the Government House by UNOCHA to commemorate the global event. There was a panel discussion with panelists from the State governments of Adamawa and Borno States, UNOCHA, INGOs and National NGOs.
There was also a visit to Persons with Disability entrepreneurship and empowerment centre at Nasarawo, Yola, where EMNAMU Foundation made cash donations to PWDs.
Goodwill messages were presented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement of Borno State, Engr. Ali G. Lawan, the Chairman, Network of Civil society Group, Adamawa State, Peter Egudah, the Hon Commissioner Adamawa State Ministry of RRR and Humanitarian Service, Bello,H. Diram, Co-Lead of Disability Working Group, Salamatu Abdullahi, AfricaForHER Coalition Representative, Constance Ahwarna And Head of Office, International Rescue Committee, Yola, Timothy Golfa.
Iliya Rhoda Ishaku
Deputy Director Information and PR
