The federal government yesterday temporarily lifted the suspension placed on two international humanitarian organisations Action Against Hunger and Mercy Corps, operating in the northeast.
The two non-governmental organisations were declared persona non grata by the Operation Lafiya Dole Theatre Command of the Nigerian Army on September 19 and September 24 respectively aiding Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State West Africa by supplying them food and drugs despite warning from the TC – OPLD.
“The Command has obtained several credible intelligence indicating AAH as one of those NGOs operating in the NE that is notorious in supplying food and drugs to the criminals in the area,” said the army.
But addressing the media in Abuja on Wednesday, in Abuja, the minister of humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development, Ms Sadiya Farouq, said government was concerned about counterterrorism efforts and that measures must be put in place to support them.
She said the concerns and recommendations of the board of inquiry that investigated the allegations would continue to receive attention and scrutiny to address the issues raised.
“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 northeast,” she said.
