Aid Workers Remembered On Humanitarian Day

By Ella Makondo

Non-Governmental Organisation, ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) has condemned all forms of violence against humanitarian aid workers, urging governments to adhere to international laws  guiding  humanitarian services.

The Country Director of AAN, Mrs Ene Obi who stated this  in commemoration   of the 2020 World Humanitarian decried the recent killing of 5 aid workers who were gruesomely murdered in  North East Nigeria by armed opposition group in the country.

In a statement issued by the  Communications Coordinator,  AAN, Nihinlola  on Wednesday, Mrs Obi  noted that humanitarian workers were  not part of  war  as they take no sides but stand with the poor and vulnerable people, thus should be protected from all forms of violence.

According to the statement, the Country Director called  on government to prioritise the safety of frontline workers who are working tirelessly in the response to COVID-19 Pandemic by ensuring that they are provided with  the necessary tools and welfare support  to enable them carry out their duties effectively.

“ This year, the World Humanitarian Day comes at a difficult time when the world is dealing with one of the deadliest pandemics in the history of our human existence, COVID-19.  The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 continues to rise, inducing hardship, mortalities, and economic crisis for many countries. The COVID-19 pandemic represents the single current biggest challenge to humanitarian workers and aid operations around the world.

” The period  of COVID-19  comes with an increased in the  target of aid workers. Just last month in North East Nigeria, 5 humanitarian aid workers who were earlier abducted while on duty saving lives were murdered by Armed Opposition Groups, (AOGs). Since 2011, not less than 47 aid workers have been killed in Nigeria; today, like every other day, we remember our fallen heroes and we send our deepest condolences to their families and friends.

“As we celebrate the efforts of humanitarian workers across the country, we also take this time to stand in solidarity and appreciate all our frontline workers responding to the coronavirus pandemic. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, there has been an increase in the number of reports of security incidents against health and aid workers, their assets and facilities, including threats and acts of violence often fueled by misinformation and fear.

“The outbreak of conflict is strongly correlated with poor economic conditions and if left unaddressed, the large economic shocks induced by the pandemic are likely to fuel conflict in areas where violence and insecurity were not major concerns before and generate even greater risk to aid workers and need for aid.

“Humanitarian workers should not go about their duties in fear and anxiety. Humanitarian workers are not part of the war, they take no sides but stand with the poor and vulnerable communities that they serve,” she added.

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