NRC Condemns Damasak Attack, Says Humanitarian Space Is Shrinking In Nigeria
The recent attack on humanitarian hubs in Damasak, Borno State, Northeast Nigeria, has drawn criticism from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).
Eric Batonon, the Norwegian Refugee Council Country Director in Nigeria has condemned the attack by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on Saturday, April 10, on the garrison town of Damasak in Northern Borno, Northeast Nigeria.
The new attack which HumAngle earlier reported affected several humanitarian hubs in Damasak.
ISWAP has in recent times targeted humanitarian hubs in Damasak, in a worrying spate of attacks.
In a statement on Sunday, April 11, Batonon said “yesterday’s brutal attack jeopardized our work and threatened the lives of many aid workers”.
“Thankfully our five staff staying in Damasak town escaped unharmed.”
He added that “the perpetrators succeeded in setting our guesthouse ablaze and destroying life-saving relief supplies, including vehicles used to deliver aid.”
“We condemn these acts of senseless violence. They serve to terrorise humanitarians and the communities we are here to help, and they delay critical aid from reaching families in dire need.
He lamented that “Humanitarian space is shrinking in Northeast Nigeria, and we call on the Government of Nigeria to ensure it is protected.”
Council on Foreign Relations Security tracker estimates that more than 37,000 people have been killed, and millions have been displaced by the Boko Haram conflict.
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