MSF seeks Army’s protection for aid workers, IDPs in North East
The Medicines Sans Frontiers (MSF) International has solicited the support of the Nigerian Army to carry out humanitarian services of providing free medical assistance to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and other victims of terrorism and insurgency in the North East.MSF president, Mr Kristos Christu, made the call when he led members of his delegation to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant-General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, at the Army Headquarters, Abuja.
He said the call became necessary especially as its workers still operate in the North East amid insurgency threats to demonstrate their commitment and passion to the people
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He said the MSF, also known as doctors without border, started operations in Nigeria in 1996, adding that their medical contribution has been substantial over the years: “The organisation has helped thousands of pregnant mothers with safe delivery and treated several medical diseases including Lassa fever in the 36 states of the federation.” Buratai urged the organisation to devise new strategies of reaching out to displaced persons in the North East and other conflict zones in the country. Represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans (COPP), Lieutenant-General Lamidi Adeosun, Buratai, commended the MSF in alleviating the suffering of IDPs and providing them medical needs in not just Nigeria, but other other war-ravaged countries. He charged MSF to carry out its responsibilities impartially and neutrally, even as he told them to ensure they operate with understanding and caution so as not to endanger lives of their aid workers.
