The Federal Government has announced the lifting of the ban on two humanitarian organisations operating in the northeast, Mercy Corps and Action Against Hunger.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, who made this known in a statement said the ban was lifted after receiving reports from a Board of Inquiry.
Recall that the two international humanitarian organizations had been suspended from operating in the Northeast having been accused by the Nigerian army of aiding Boko Haram.
The Army had in September, blacklisted and subsequently sealed the offices of Action Against Hunger in Borno and Yobe states, claiming to have ‘credible intelligence’ that the agency supplied food and medication to the Boko Haram terrorists.
Farouq in the statement, however noted that lifting of the ban was temporary adding that “The concerns and recommendations of the Board of Inquiry (BOI) will continue to receive attention and scrutiny to address the issues raised and complies.”
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She said that key issues will be addressed based on the 7-point agenda proposed by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator to strengthen coordination and partnership between the humanitarian community and the Government of Nigeria in the North East.
Some of the issues include: “Establishment of a High-Level Policy Forum on Humanitarian Assistance in northeast Nigeria by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development at the federal level to discuss/resolve all emerging issues with the Humanitarian Response in the North East.
“Vetting/Due Diligence of all Humanitarian Vendors in northeast Nigeria to be conducted by the Government of Nigeria before engagement by Humanitarian Actors.
“Clearance and registration of all NGOs by the Government of Nigeria before deployment engagement in Humanitarian Activities in Nigeria.
“Transportation and allocation of Fuel and other sensitive humanitarian commodities including fertilizers to humanitarian actors in the field by Government approved vendors/providers in northeast Nigeria”, she added.
“Development and approval of a cash transfer policy for humanitarian assistance in Northeast Nigeria within the Laws of the Government of Nigeria. Review and strengthen Civil-Military Coordination and existing systems at both Maiduguri and Abuja level.”