Buhari Okays Coordinating Team On Humanitarian Affairs

BY EDMOND ODOK, ABUJA – To provide effective leadership and coordinate the national vision for all humanitarian actions across the country, President Muhammadu Buhari, has approved the constitution of a National Humanitarian Coordination Committee (NHCC).

The new Committee, to be co-chaired by the Minister, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development (FMHADMSD), and National Security Adviser (NSA), will oversee all actions of the Federal Government aimed at addressing worrying humanitarian issues nationwide.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said the committee will, among others; Provide a national vision for humanitarian actions; Advise on coordination between the security services and humanitarian actors; Settle disputes that may arise from interactions between security services and the humanitarian community.

According to the presidential spokesman, the Committee’s functions also include: Proposing policies that enhance coordination and seamless delivery of humanitarian aid to affected communities; Facilitating delivery of humanitarian interventions to vulnerable persons; and Promoting transparency and accountability in all aspects of humanitarian delivery within the country.

Also listed as Committee’s members are; Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF); Ministers of Defence, Interior, Justice, Minister of State Budget and Planning; Chief of Defense Staff; Chief of Army Staff; Chief of Naval Staff; Chief of Air Staff; and the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

The Committee’s membership roll call also has the Governors of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states; the Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC); and Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

The Presidential aide also listed the United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator; Permanent Secretary, FMHADMSD (Secretariat); Chairman, Non-Governmental Organization Forum; and any other nominated by Chairman of the Committee as would be members.

Mr Adesina’s statement further stated that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, is expected to inaugurate the Committee on a date to be announced soon.