UN not serious to provide relief support for IDPs- Northern clerics

Following reports by the children’s agency of the United Nations, UNICEF, that it is pulling out its aid workers from the north east region after Boko Haram reportedly ambushed their convoy, the Northern Inter-Faith and Religious Organizations for Peace (NIFROM) has said the world humanitarian body was never ready to provide relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the north east.

The group which condemned the attack in its strongest term, however said the attack was just a deliberate excuse for the U.N. to suspend its relief operations and pull out its workers.

One of the clerics said, “It is hypocritical that the same world body that that did not do the needful to halt Boko Haram’s rise are the same agencies that are today making a show of providing relief to affected persons. Had there been a prompt international response to the threat of Boko Haram in the initial stage we would not be at this point now.

“The feeling we have is that the attack provided a much needed excuse for these agencies that have no interest in doing anything for the tens of thousands of people dislocated by Boko Haram. Had there been no attack it would have been a question of time before they cook up another excuse that would have still been used to suspend the so-called humanitarian efforts.”

“The amounts allocated for the North East would have done something meaningful towards rehabilitating the population had the institution, the National Assembly, that Dr Saraki presides over as chairman performed its oversight functions diligently and curb the corruption associated with local relief efforts. 

“For those who do not understand our grouse, the Senate President and the UN have been insensitive to what happens in the North East over the years. Many Nigerians have been killed and or maimed on the same road by terrorists in the past without them taking any notice neither did they show the sympathy now being shown to the aid workers. For us this is hypocrisy at work.

“We therefore urge Nigerians to accept that it is their responsibility to rise up to the challenge and support their brethren. It is now glaring that we must forget about the inadequate and often strung out humanitarian assistance that serves no purpose other than providing photo ops for those behind them,” he said.

Strange to blame the UN for not halting the rise of Boko Haram! The Nigerian government needs to be seen to be interested in the plight of its people. I am getting mad with their lackadaisical attitude. The government needs to do more and not live up to its reputation of constant disavowal of its responsibilities. It is not acceptable that children and people should be dying of hunger yet the clerics are blaming an external organisation for not doing much. The blame should be on Nigeria, it's communities, religious leaders and the government for not doing enough!

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/07/boko-haram-un-not-serious-to-provide-relief-support-for-idps-northern-clerics/