Following the meeting of December 10 of heads of state and government, ECOWAS did not heed the calls made by the humanitarian community to ensure that civilians in Niger have access to vital aid and that the most vulnerable do not suffer further.
Mohammed Chikhaoui, humanitarian representative of international NGOs in Niger, stated: “We are very concerned that our calls for humanitarian exemptions have fallen on deaf ears. This is an alarming message for the people of Niger: suspending essential humanitarian activities while humanitarian needs are increasing. Populations must have full and unhindered access to assistance. The route with Benin is blocked for political reasons, and the alternative air or Burkinabe routes currently used are too slow, too costly, and less effective. We need to see a change now.
“Over 2 million people faced food insecurity between October and December 2023, forcing 15% of the population to relocate due to lack of access to food or assistance. Children are suffering the most; the 185,000 children under five years old suffering from moderate acute malnutrition no longer have access to treatment as it is no longer available. 40,000 children are at risk of falling into the most severe and deadly form of malnutrition.
“The decision by ECOWAS heads of state to maintain sanctions without considering crucial humanitarian imperatives has direct consequences for the Nigerien population, such as cash shortages and difficulty in procuring food, and seriously hinders efforts to provide vital humanitarian aid to Niger.
“It is not only the border but also the financial and economic sanctions that affect our ability to operate and communities’ ability to receive services. The absence of humanitarian exemptions in the economic sanctions maintained by ECOWAS risks seriously compromising access to medical assistance, food, and other essential needs for the most vulnerable populations in Niger.”
We renew our call to all parties to ensure that effective and uninterrupted access to essential aid reaches vulnerable people. Legally binding humanitarian exemptions implemented by all are essential for the provision of goods, services, and economic resources necessary for carrying out impartial humanitarian activities, as well as for meeting basic human needs. We demand the immediate opening of the border between Benin and Niger to humanitarian aid.
SIGNATORIES
- Acted
- ADRA
- AIRD
- COOPI
- COSPE
- CURE International
- Helen Keller International
- International Rescue Committee
- Islamic Relief Worldwide
- Médecins du Monde
- Norwegian Refugee Council
- Oxfam
- Plan International
- PSI
- Rain4Sahara
- Save the Children
- Search for Common Ground
- Solidarités International
- Solthis
- SOS Children’s Villages
- Welthungerhilfe (WHH)
CONTACT
Mamadou Coulibaly
Communication Manager
GTH-OIREN
MamadouCoulibaly.Boubacar@rescue.org
+227 97 86 05 01
Photo: AP Photo/Sam Mednick