WHD: Increase budget for humanitarian aid, NASS, state govts urged

The National Assembly and its states counterparts have been called upon to increase the resources for humanitarian aid in Nigeria. 

This was contained in a statement signed in Abuja by the National Co-ordinator/ Converner Women in Humanitarian Response in Nigeria Initiative (WiHRiN) Ms. Mimidoo Achakpa, to commemorate the World Humanitarian Day (WHD) on the theme “Women Humanitarians”.

According to the statement, this year’s theme is apt, as women are generally the first responders during humanitarian crisis, risking their  lives to assist children, the elderly, neighbours other vulnerable groups.

“The importance of the role of women-led humanitarian action cannot be over-emphasised. We pay tribute to the humanitarian workers who have paid the ultimate price with their lives in the line of duty, especially the 37 Aid workers who have lost their lives in Northeast Nigeria among whom were women humanitarians: Hauwa Mohammed Liman, Saifura Hassaini Ahmed Khorsa and Faye Mooney. 

“We remember the women who lost their lives in the Northcentral Nigeria as a result of the farmer/herder conflict and indeed all other forms of crisis across Nigeria.

“We remember the 35,000 Nigerians who have lost their lives due to the ongoing crisis in Northeast Nigeria, and the many more thousands of people who have lost their lives as a result of conflicts, natural disasters and other humanitarian crisis all over Nigeria. May their souls rest in peace,” the statement said.

“We salute the courageous members of the Nigerian Armed forces who have lost their lives while protecting conflict affected populations and keeping the environment accessible for humanitarian aid/assistance. We pray God to grant their families and loved ones the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

We appreciate the Nigeria emergency response mechanism and teams headed at the National level by North East Development Commission, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and their counterparts in the 36 states of the federation including Abuja for striving to fulfil their mandate by ensuring that victims of communal clashes, floods, insurgency and war are promptly relocated and humanitarian assistance are provided,” it added.

The statement also stressed the need for government to cater for Nigerians everywhere in the world affected by humanitarian crisis, saying citizens should be able to rely on government.

It further frowned at the continued infrastructural deficits in the country, noting that this has made more Nigerians vulnerable to natural disasters thereby requiring humanitarian assistance.

It therefore called on the 9th National Assembly to increase the infrastructure budget for the benefit of ordinary Nigerian citizens accross the country. 

“We lend our voice to the national call of Nigerian security apparatus including the armed forces, Airforce, Navy, The Nigerian Police Service and Civil Defence and Security Agency to work in synergy and share ideas, programs and projects to avoid working at cross purposes for the good of Nigeria and Nigerians. 

“Today, WiHRiN joins the global community to celebrate millions of people who toil, advocate and support humanitarian actions to crisis affected populations globally. 

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