INSURGENCY: Nigerian govt lifts embargo on Mercy Corps, AAH

The Nigerian Government has lifted the suspension placed on two international humanitarian non-governmental organizations, Mercy Corps and Action Against Hunger, with the aim of finding enduring solutions to the insurgency ravaging the North Eastern part of the country.

The NGOs were suspended by the ‘Operation Lafiya Dole’ Theatre Command of the Nigerian Army on September 19 and September 24, respectively over allegations that they were supplying food, fuel and medicine to Boko Haram insurgents.

Briefing the press on Wednesday in Abuja, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, said that government was concerned about counterterrorism efforts and that measures must be put in place to support them.

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She added that concerns and recommendations of the board of inquiry will continue to receive attention and scrutiny to address the issues raised.

Farouq said: “Based on the seven-point agenda proposed by the United Nation Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator to strengthen coordination and partnership between the humanitarian community and the government of Nigeria in the North-East, and taking into consideration the planned civil military coordination workshop in Maiduguri by this ministry, these issues will be addressed.

“Among others, they will be addressed through the establishment of a high policy forum on humanitarian assistance in the North-East by this ministry; vetting of all humanitarian vendors, clearance of all NGOs and allocation of fuel to humanitarian actors.

“Others are submission of monthly reports on humanitarian activities through the FMHADMSD; review of civil-military coordination in Maiduguri and Abuja; development and approval of a cash transfer policy for humanitarian assistance in the North-East.”

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