Some countries in the world depend on aids from United Nations, donations from some nations and good spirited individual. Countries like Somalia and Afghanistan ravaged by Al-shabab and Taliban militias solely depend on food aid to feed her citizens, who live in war-torn zones. The human crises in those countries have become a nightmare to the United Nations. Hence, humanitarian aid is the best option to feed the displaced people in those countries. There has been free flow of supplies to those internally displaced people, without breach of diversion of aids in such countries with volatile insecurity.
Apart from some pocket of attacks by militants on convoy conveying aid, there has not been any recorded diversion of supplies by agents in-charge. For instance, Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia is not safe because of the activities of Al-shabab Militants. And yet the food aid is smooth and prompt without suspicions of diversion. Some years ago, Ethiopia faced severe famine and food aid was supplied to that country without hanky- panky. United Nations food aid programme is under strict supervision to avoid unwholesome behaviour of the management.
Today in Nigeria, the activities of Boko Haram in North East has displaced Millions of people from their homes. The federal government and some countries have shown great concern in tackling the humanitarian crises in North East of Nigerian. The internally displaced Nigerians are facing terrible and horrible life style in the various camps across the zone. The displaced Nigerians are suffering from severe hunger and unhealthy environment. And it is on this back ground that the government embarked on food aid to the internally displaced people.
It is hard to believe that some Nigerians could condescend so how to divert food and materials meant for internally displaced people.
The internally displaced people are surviving by the mercy of God. Many of the internally displaced people are orphans, widows and widowers. Therefore, no Nigerian should jeopardize the effort of government in ameliorating the suffering of the displaced people. Nigerians should be patriotic no matter the time. It is also disgusting and disheartening that materials meant to alleviate the suffering of the internally displaced people could be hijacked and diverted to an unknown destination which prompted investigation by the government.
Indeed, whatever be the motive behind the diversion it is condemnable and evil. People should not exploit the harsh condition to the detriment of the displaced people. Nigerian should be reliable and trustworthy when given responsibility to serve the masses. The investigation of the diverted materials meant for the internally displaced people is a serious distraction. And those who engage in public service should be honest and sincere for prompt delivery.
It is a national embarrassment. No wonder emergency response is low in Nigeria. In some cases material sent to victims of disaster are not found. This same thing happened during the distribution of items to flood victims in 2012. Free text books meant for pupils and students in Rivers State were diverted to personal use. And in the end the materials were sold in the public market to people; even when it was boldly written not for sale on the materials. What about malaria drugs and mosquito treated net supplied by the Rivers State government? The evil of diversion of materials and food meant for internally displaced people is dehumanizing and traumatizing.
Nigerians recruited or volunteered to serve in emergency situation should eschew evil intention of profit making. The whole world is watching the way and manner we abuse humanitarian services in Nigeria. Some Nigerians hoard materials given to them by government for free distribution to the public. There is need for fresh orientation on national consciousness. No foreigner can serve us now. Therefore, let Nigerians be patriotic to serve wholehearted even in the face of disaster. ###
Frank Eneawaji Ogwuonuonu
08028901682
