TheCable

Betta Edu, minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, has asked the Nigerian Air Force (NA) to support the ministry in accessing hard-to-reach areas for delivery of relief items.

In a statement on Wednesday, Edu spoke when she paid a visit to Hassan Abubakar, chief of air staff, at the Nigerian Air Force headquarters in Abuja.

She said many communities challenged by insecurity in Nigeria are difficult to access by road, adding that the ministry would commence delivery of humanitarian items across the country in the coming weeks.

She said poverty contributes to the security challenges in the country, adding that insecurity would be reduced by 50 percent if poverty is addressed.

The minister also solicited the air force support in providing relief items and humanitarian workers to hard-to-access areas and evacuating Nigeria from areas under threat.

“When we win the war against poverty we would have won the war against insecurity by over 50%; please, fly us to those hard-to-reach areas,” she said.

“I’m sure you are quite aware that we have a good number of persons who are either internally displaced or refugees who are in need of humanitarian assistance, and some of whom are in areas where it’s difficult to access them through road due to insecurity, we will be seeking your support to see that we can get through to them to deliver humanitarian services, including palliatives.

“We’re counting on you for support in terms of intelligence, we’re counting on you for support in terms of security, we’re counting on you for support within your mandate to see that our job is made easier, better and success is achieved.”

On his part, Abubakar assured the minister of the air force’s commitment to partner and cooperate with the ministry in addressing the humanitarian crisis in the country.

“Your presence here underscores our shared commitment to the well-being of our fellow citizens during their most trying times. The challenges that confront us in the humanitarian sphere are multifaceted,” Abubakar said.

“Nigeria faces crises triggered by conflicts, natural disasters, and displacement, each presenting unique complexities.

“Responding to these crises effectively requires a coordinated and unified approach, pooling the resources and expertise of various agencies and departments, and that is precisely what we both represent in our various rights. We will do better, we will give all the support you need.”