Despite Public Skepticism, INGOs Continue to Play Critical Roles in Addressing Humanitarian Crisis in Northeast Nigeria

Humanitarian Crisis
Spread the love

By Mustapha Bura

The Northeastern part of Nigeria, which is historically known for its peace and tranquillity, has in recent years been facing serious security challenges. Since the activities of the Jama’atu Ahlus-Sunnsh Lidda’ Awati Wal Jihad, now commonly called Boko Haram (BH) started with the first attack on a police station in Maiduguri, on July 26, 2009, the situation has degenerated into insurgency and terrorism. The group’s activities often characterized by constant attacks in virtually all the States in the Zone and beyond, have resulted in many lives lost and property worth billions of Naira destroyed. The security situation further degenerated in 2013, leading to the declaration of a State of Emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States. Attempts at peace restoration in the North East have largely been inclusive. What initially began with only the state governments afflicted eventually evolved to include all tiers of government including the private sector, International Development Partners as well as local communities.

According to OCHA (2019), the humanitarian crisis in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states in Nigeria’s northeast, which has Spilled over into the Lake Chad region, is among the most severe humanitarian crises in the world today. 7.1 million people in Nigeria are in need of urgent, lifesaving humanitarian assistance in 2019 and 6.2 million are targeted to receive aid. The crisis, largely triggered by a regionalized armed conflict, is first and fore a protection crisis. Civilians continue to bear the brunt of a conflict that has led to widespread forced displacement and violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. Since the start of the conflict in 2009, more than 350,000 people have been killed and thousands of women and girls abducted. Violence against women, girls and children, including sexual violence, exposure to trafficking, and other forms of gender-based violence, is all too common yet underreported. Women are forced into transactional sex in exchange for food, movement and items to meet their basic needs, while some vulnerable households have resorted to early marriage and child labour. Thousands of children swell in the ranks of armed actors and predominantly women and children compelled by non-state armed groups to carry person-borne improvised explosive devices. Now in its tenth year, the conflict continues to uproot the lives of thousands of children, women and men. As of 2019, 1.8 million Nigerians have fled from their homes and are internally displaced, the majority in Borno State the epicentre of the crisis. 80 percent of internally displaced people are women and children, and one in four are under the age of five. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) grew significantly towards the end of the 20th century. The NGOs are accepted in Nigeria as development partners coming to fill the gap left by the government. In North East Nigeria states, available record shows that there are over 200 Non- Non-Governmental organisations making positive contribution towards human development.

No doubt, International Non-Government organisations in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states are alleviating suffering that the Government alone cannot cater for. Despite their humanitarian assistance, the public still doubts their true humanitarian services These doubts were supported by a history that shows decades into the triumph of liberalism and the civil liberties of INGOs; the citizens of the developing nations are still worse in poverty, poor leadership and corruption (Brown, 2011). Billions of dollars spent as a support to different INGOs providing humanitarian services in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa from 2009 to date.

In conclusion, there is a need for local/indigenous community-based organizations to partner with International Non-Governmental Organizations in order to provide humanitarian assistance. Community based organizations are trusted by the locals because they are members of the community.

Click here to read related post

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *