1.2 Million Nigerians Beyond Humanitarian Access
2020-02-02
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1The aid group Doctors Without Borders says the Boko Haram conflict is blocking aid workers from reaching more than 1.2 million Nigerians.
2The group reports that the population of northeast Nigeria is victim to all sides in the conflict.
3The fight has been going on for 11 years.
4The Nigerian military says it has the upper hand over the Islamist extremists.
5But Doctors Without Borders and United Nations agencies say the humanitarian situation is still urgent, especially in Borno state.
6Luis Eguiluz has led the agency's work in Nigeria for the past two years.
7He says the two main Boko Haram groups and the government are restricting movement.
8He says people are subject to attacks, kidnappings, abuse and mistreatment.
9Women and girls are victims of rape and other forms of sexual assault.
10He adds, "We are talking about one of the most or biggest humanitarian crises of the last decades.
11Seven-point-one million people in need are dependent on humanitarian assistance for survival.
12They depend upon the most basic needs and services; food, water, health, shelter."
13Eguiluz says humanitarian workers still are able to reach the majority of the needy.
14But he told VOA that Doctors Without Borders and other agencies have no access to the 1.2 million people living in areas controlled by Boko Haram.
15The United Nations reports these Nigerians live in 22 areas in Borno state.
16Eguiluz says the Nigerian army does not permit humanitarian agencies to go to these areas because this would be in violation of international counterterrorism laws.
17He adds, "These counterterrorism laws prevent humanitarian actors to negotiate with all actors, parties in conflict because they are considered terrorists."
18Eguiluz notes these laws are preventing access because negotiating with armed groups is considered a crime.
19Doctors Without Borders is calling on the Nigerian government to honor international humanitarian law over international counterterrorism laws.
20Eguiluz says this would enable humanitarian agencies to get access to the 1.2 million Nigerians in serious need of aid.
21I'm Jonathan Evans.
1The aid group Doctors Without Borders says the Boko Haram conflict is blocking aid workers from reaching more than 1.2 million Nigerians. 2The group reports that the population of northeast Nigeria is victim to all sides in the conflict. The fight has been going on for 11 years. 3The Nigerian military says it has the upper hand over the Islamist extremists. But Doctors Without Borders and United Nations agencies say the humanitarian situation is still urgent, especially in Borno state. 4Luis Eguiluz has led the agency's work in Nigeria for the past two years. He says the two main Boko Haram groups and the government are restricting movement. 5He says people are subject to attacks, kidnappings, abuse and mistreatment. Women and girls are victims of rape and other forms of sexual assault. 6He adds, "We are talking about one of the most or biggest humanitarian crises of the last decades. Seven-point-one million people in need are dependent on humanitarian assistance for survival. They depend upon the most basic needs and services; food, water, health, shelter." 7Eguiluz says humanitarian workers still are able to reach the majority of the needy. 8But he told VOA that Doctors Without Borders and other agencies have no access to the 1.2 million people living in areas controlled by Boko Haram. 9The United Nations reports these Nigerians live in 22 areas in Borno state. 10Eguiluz says the Nigerian army does not permit humanitarian agencies to go to these areas because this would be in violation of international counterterrorism laws. 11He adds, "These counterterrorism laws prevent humanitarian actors to negotiate with all actors, parties in conflict because they are considered terrorists." 12Eguiluz notes these laws are preventing access because negotiating with armed groups is considered a crime. 13Doctors Without Borders is calling on the Nigerian government to honor international humanitarian law over international counterterrorism laws. Eguiluz says this would enable humanitarian agencies to get access to the 1.2 million Nigerians in serious need of aid. 14I'm Jonathan Evans. 15Lisa Schlein reported on this story for VOA News. Jonathan Evans adapted this story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. 16________________________________________________________________ 17Words in This Story 18access - n. the right or ability to approach, enter, or use 19counterterrorism - n. actions by a group, army, etc., that are done to prevent terrorist attacks and destroy terrorist networks 20decade - n. a period of 10 years 21upper hand - n. mastery; advantage; control