ICRC Partners Private Sector To Give Violence Victims Relief

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says it is open to partnerships with private sector in Nigeria to bring relief to those displaced, disenfranchised and suffering from cycles of violence.
Its President, Peter Maurer, who made this known at a news conference yesterday in Lagos, said the partnership would also support small businesses in fragile situations.
The Tide Source reports that the ICRC works with the Nigerian Red Cross, other Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in conflict regions to trace missing people and visit camps and communities.
According to ICRC reports, nearly 22,000 Nigerians have been reported missing during a decade of conflict in the North-East region of the country.
Maurer, during his time in Nigeria, met with President Muhammadu Buhari, high-level government officials, civil society organisations and business leaders.
He also spoke with families affected by conflicts in Maiduguri and Monguno, many of whom have missing relatives.
According to Maurer, ICRC already has an important partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation which was designed to support small businesses.
He said such partnerships would help support small businesses in fragile situations like those in the North-East by helping victims engage in income generating activities.
“I hope that this event will bring us together with more partners in Nigeria, where a humanitarian organisation and private sector can work to bring relief to those displaced, disenfranchised and suffering from cycles of violence.
“ICRC is responding in particular in the North-East and other parts of Nigeria to situations of violence and displacement of populations.
“Millions of people are affected by the cycles of violence and violations of international humanitarian law.
“I have visited displacement camps and my assessment is that there is still a lot to do between the basic needs in water, health, sanitation and shelter of displaced populations,” Maurer said.
He added that ICRC was engaging for the respect of humanitarian law in conflicts, and positive constructive discussions had occurred with President Muhammadu Buhari and the Governor of Borno State.