The Federal government has reiterated its Commitment to protection of Humanitarian Workers across the country and beyond.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha gave the assurance in his keynote address on the occasion of the Annual World Humanitarian Day in Abuja on Saturday August 19,2018, saying humanitarian workers deserved to be protected and should not be an object of attack during crises “there is need to demonstrate as well as demand greater humanity and create support for humanitarian action” he said.
According to him, the scope and complexity of the challenges faced by the Humanitarian community are expanding by the day as the World become more volatile, stressing that it was imperative to stand in solidarity with the Humanitarian actors who are working in risky and hazardous environments around the world to assist the vulnerable people affected by disaster and conflict.
Represented the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Mr. Gabriel Tanimu Aduda, said Secretary to the Government of the Federation urged the Humanitarian community not to work in silos, but in fellowship, even as he noted that early warning System and forecasting have a very important role to play in the reduction of the impact of natural or human- induced disaster.
Speaking on the issue of security challenges in Nigeria, Boss Mustapha assured that the Federal government was doing everything possible to end Boko Haram insurgency is the North Eastern part of the country, adding that the rights and protection of civilians and Humanitarian Workers must be guaranteed in the process.
He commended the Nigerian Military and security Personnel in the desert, Forest and trenches outside the comfort of their homes to guarantee the security of the nation. “The Federal government of Nigeria will not rest on her oars untill terrorism is completely subdued in our Country” he said.
The Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced persons (NCFRMI), Sadiya Umar Farouq earlier in her address said the uniqueness of the 2018 commemoration was reflected in the global theme “#NOT A TARGET” urging that we must come to term with the fact that conflict is exacting massive toll on people’s lives. “people in cities and towns struggle to find food, water and safe shelter, while fighting drives millions of people from their homes. Children are recruited by armed groups and used to fight, and their Schools are destroyed. Women are abused and humiliated. As humanitarian workers attempt to deliver aid and medical workers treat the sick and the wounded, they are directly targeted, treated as threats, and prevented from bringing relief and care to those in desperate need. In most situations, these humanitarian workers pay the supreme price,” she stressed.
Other speeches were presented by the representative of the United Nations Secretary General, the Director General National Emmergency Management Agency as well as representative Minister of Health among others, all pointed to the need to protect humanitarian workers and to end terrorism.
Ahmed Lawan Dambazau
Head, Press and Public Relations
