UN, NEMA call for safety of female humanitarian workers

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Activities (UN OCHA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have said that all humanitarian workers especially the women need protection and security while carrying out their humanitarian duties.

The Deputy Head of office of the UN-OCHA, Peter Ekayu, said this while speaking after a roadwalk as part of the activities to mark the 2019 world humanitarian day over the weekend in Abuja.

The day was marked with a focus on women humanitarians.

Several humanitarian workers have been abducted and killed in the line of duty hence the need to protect them from such attacks.

He said women humanitarians bring a unique perspective to humanitarian services through their understanding of the specific needs and priority of girls and women.

He remembered the midwives who were abducted and executed by ‘nonstate armed groups’ in Rann town of Borno State, hence called for the release of those still in captivity.

Ekayu reminded the world that the humanitarian crisis hitting Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states were far from over adding that the less attention paid to the crisis in the north-east, the more risks humanitarian workers face.

On his part, NEMA DG, Engr. Mustapha Maihaja said the theme of this year’s humanitarian day celebration which was focused on celebrating women to highlight the safety of women humanitarian workers considering the risk and challenges the female workers experience.

Maihaja called for collaboration, coordination and cooperation to provide safety for humanitarian workers while on duty.

He said most humanitarian workers globally were exposed to lots of risk as they were faced with extreme threats that affect their survival, especially in disaster situations.