The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has restated its commitment to partner the Nigeria Red Cross and the Saudi Arabia Red Crescent Authority in humanitarian response.
Mr Mustapha Ahmed, Director-General, NEMA, made the commitment on Thursday in Abuja, when a team from both societies paid him a courtesy visit.
Ahmed said that the visit is timely, as it has become imperative to strengthen partnership with other humanitarian associations for speedy service delivery.
“As we are all aware, Nigeria, like many other countries in the Sahel region, is confronted with humanitarian crises as a result of incessant communal conflicts, banditry and kidnapping which have made disaster management a daunting task.
“The protracted Boko Haram insurgency in the North East region of Nigeria has created one of the biggest global humanitarian crisis as designated by the United Nations.
“Furthermore, nature induced hazards, especially floods, windstorms, marine and gully erosion, desertification amongst others which are exacerbated by climate change and variability, have become major drivers for recurring disasters in Nigeria.
“Permit me to restate that there is no time like this for us to strengthen our partnership for more effective service delivery to the people in line with the humanitarian principle of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and operational independence,” he said.
Mr Abubakar Kende, Secretary-General, Nigerian Red Cross Society, said the society would continue to extend fellowship and cooperation with the agency as it responds to disasters.
On his part, Mr Ali Al-Samrani, from the Saudi Red Crescent Authority, said the visit was aimed at sharing knowledge and experiences and to find out aspects in which it could support the agency as it carries out its mandate. (NAN)
