Rev. Fr. Evaristus Bassey, Director, Church and Society of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria and Executive Secretary/CEO, of Caritas, Nigeria/JDPC
From: Diana Okon-Effiong, Calabar
Caritas Nigeria and JDPC, the humanitarian and human development organs of the Catholic Church in Nigeria, Thursday in Calabar said “persistent’’ insurgency in Nigeria’s North East zone required humanitarian intervention.
They spoke through Rev. Fr. Evaristus Bassey, the Executive Secretary of Caritas Nigeria/ JDPC, in an interactive session with journalists on the state of the nation.
According to the clergyman the “humanitarian crisis’’ in the affected area sadly portrays Nigeria as a country that is currently in a state of war requiring support for internally displaced persons.
He said he was also concerned that while some people are experiencing serious humanitarian challenges in the north east “the rest of the country is moving on as if nothing catastrophic is happening’’.
“ I hereby express concern over the seemingly persistent and unabated situation in the North East. The simple truth is that Nigeria is at war.
“The tragedy is that the rest of the country is moving on as if nothing catastrophic is happening. Politicians are gathering, multi million naira parties being thrown, and everyone is carrying on with business as usual.
“Is it that we have heard so much about Boko Haram that these happenings are no longer news but have become normal daily narratives? But imagine being a refugee in your own country! Imagine running for hours for safety.
“Imagine not being certain if you would eat for days. Imagine having to sleep in the hills for days and weeks. Imagine not having a bath for days and wearing the same cloth.
“Imagine not having the freedom to worship God the way you are convinced, because someone believes in using violence to propagate his faith. What is happening is a terrible humanitarian crisis and as Nigerians we need to show solidarity.We need to adjust our lifestyles to reflect the present circumstances. We need to reflect compassion for those suffering,’’ Bassey said.
He lauded Nigeria’s military for confronting the challenge posed by insurgency.
“But the fight against Boko Haram is not a wrestling match, it is a competition of fire power. This is something that needs confronting with all military arsenal. A nation’s military should always be ready.
“Thank God the situation is changing and we are hearing good results. But there is a humanitarian crisis in the North East.Our Churches are overwhelmed with displaced persons. They have run out of resources. We need to support them,’’ Bassey said.
He appealed to Nigerians who want to assist the Church in the North East to take care of the internally displaced persons to do so through Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria.
“Nigerians living in safety now should spare a thought for those who require basic needs such as food, blankets, water, toiletries. Your support could go a long way to alleviate their situation, even as we work for and pray for stability.
“We pray that those in charge will continue to give our military the equipment and arsenal they need, so that innocent lives will not be lost unnecessarily,’’ he said.
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