The Nigerian government has lifted the ban on two International humanitarian bodies, Action Against Hunger and Mercy Corps who were accused of aiding terrorists in the North East.
The Military had in September, moved in and closed down the offices of Action Against Hunger (ACF) and a second NGO Mercy Corps in northeast Nigeria when they were accused of supplying food and drugs to the Boko Haram terrorist.
The NGO denied the charges and, along with Mercy Corps, called for the army to reverse the closure.
In the meantime, “The suspension of the two Humanitarian organisations – Mercy Corps and Action Against Hunger has been temporarily lifted,” said Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Sadia Farouq on Wednesday.
The United Nations claimed the suspension of the aid groups has left nearly 400,000 IDPs “without food and other essential help for the last month”.
During a visit to Nigeria by Chief Mark Lowcock last week, the UN’s humanitarian has assured the Humanitarians that the suspension would be lifted in the “next few days”.
However, on Wednesday, when the Minister lifted the ban, she said, “The concerns and recommendations of the board of inquiry will continue to receive attention and scrutiny to address the issues raised and comply.”
Ten years of fighting has killed an estimated 35,000 people, split into neighbouring countries and forced millions from their homes.
The UN revealed that this year alone 140,000 people have been displaced by renewed violence by the Boko Haram terrorist and more than three million people are food-insecure as farmers have been unable to plant crops.