The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on the government at all levels to provide adequate resources for humanitarian causes considering the quantum of human rights violations occasioned by armed conflicts and natural disasters in the country.
In a message to commemorate the 2024 World Humanitarian Day (WHD), the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu said the NHRC regretted the numerous human rights violations suffered by Citizens including women, children, older persons, persons with disabilities, migrants, internally displaced persons and asylum seekers, with little or no humanitarian assistance to mitigate their conditions.
Ojukwu, who stated this on the eve of 2024 commemoration of WHD observed that individuals whose rights are violated as a result of violence, armed conflicts and natural disasters such as flooding, erosion and famine, deserve social protection to live a normal life.
He said: “Besides, insecurity in the North East occasioned by the activities of Boko Haram insurgents, North west resulting from banditry and other criminal activities, South East, south west and North Central Nigeria spearheaded by armed bandits, IPOB/-Yoruba nation separatist movements and farmers/herders clashes respectively have unfortunately combined to create more humanitarian problems in the Country. ”
According to him, government at all levels should therefore take deliberate action towards boosting the allocations of resources for humanitarian matters to effectively cater for the humanitarian needs of citizens who might are facing hardship as a result of humanitarian issues.
The Chief Human Rights Officer of Nigeria stated that the 2024 theme of the celebration, “Act for Humanity”, is apt as it serves as a wakeup call to political leaders and other stakeholders to take appropriate steps towards addressing the various human rights and humanitarian challenges bedeviling the Citizens, particularly those in conflict/violence situations.
Ojukwu while paying tribute to thousands of humanitarian workers who lost their lives while rendering humanitarian services as well as others who suffered injuries in the course of their work, said “we should also recognize the efforts of aid workers who put their lives on the line to help affected persons and communities during times of global crisis.”
He further stated that the Commission will continue to protect and serve people in need irrespective of the magnitude of the danger and hardship they are experiencing adding that awareness creation for State actors and law enforcement agents to protect humanitarian workers during their operations cannot be overemphasized.
World Humanitarian Day brings together all the people from across the humanitarian ecosystem to improve and raise awareness for the survival, well-being, and dignity of people affected by crises and for the safety of humanitarian workers.
