By Akanimo Sampson
The government of Nigeria will soon come out with a blueprint on how security forces and humanitarian agencies will handle emergencies in the frontline.
President Muhammadu Buhari has already approved the constitution of a National Humanitarian Coordination Committee (NHCC) to oversee all humanitarian actions in the country.
Among other things, the committee is to 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.
It is also to propose policies that will enhance coordination and seamless delivery of humanitarian aid to affected communities, facilitates delivery of humanitarian interventions to vulnerable persons, and promotes transparency and accountability in all aspects of humanitarian delivery in the country.
The panel is being chaired by the Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Minister, with the National Security Adviser (NSA), as co-Chairman.
Other members are- Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum, 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 Inspector General of Police.
Also on the panel are Governors of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service, United Nations Resident Coordinator, Permanent Secretary, FMHADMSD (Secretariat), Chairman, Non-Governmental Organisation Forum, and any other nominated by panel’s chairman.
The panel will be formally inaugurated by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, in due course.
