FG restates support for humanitarian workers

By Mohammed Kandi

In commemoration of the 2014 World Humanitarian Day, the Federal Government has assured continued support for humanitarian aid workers to assist them discharge their responsibilities of addressing the plight of the distressed in the country.

Vice President Muhammad Namadi Sambo gave the assurance in a speech he delivered on behalf of the President Dr Goodluck Jonathan at the 2014 World Humanitarian Day celebration held in Abuja.

Sambo, according to a statement by Sani Datti, a Senior Information Officer at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) identified the important roles of the aid workers in driving the commitment of the government in providing succour to people that are faced with humanitarian challenges.

Recalling the condition of some medical workers that were infected by the Ebola Virus Disease in the course of their treatment of the index case in Lagos, Sambo said the Federal Government would do everything possible to provide them more support.

He said it was in appreciation of the critical roles of the aid workers that the Federal Government has always included them in major decisions on humanitarian affairs.

In his remark, Director-General of the NEMA, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Sidi reiterated the agency’s commitment to continue serving humanity in the face of incessant attacks on aid workers.

“I want to assure that NEMA will explore the outcome of the programmes and activities of the 2014 World Humanitarian Day commemoration to improve public awareness on safe and sustainable humanitarianism and place the message on the front burner of public discourse,” he explained.

He cited an unpleasant scenario of conflicts and natural disasters were humanitarians subjected their lives and worked with their hearts and blood to save lives in order bring succour to the distressed, in times when the major concern of everyone was self-preservation.

Sani Sidi further said: “There no doubt that without the various Governmental and Non-Government humanitarian service providers, the ICRC, the National Red Cross Societies, the UN system and indeed local volunteers, the human toll in these hot spots could have been grave.”

The Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Nigeria Mr. Daoda Toure urged private sectors to support humanitarian activities in Nigeria and invest more in areas of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR).

Also speaking, the Federal Commissioner in-charge of the National Commission for Refugees, Hajiya Hadiza Sani Kangiwa, presented the humanitarian hero’s register in recognition of aid workers that have demonstrated exceptional quality beyond their calls of duties, some of whom have lost their lives in the cause of humanitarian works.