ESLF FOUNDER URGES WOMEN LED CSOs TO UNITE FOR GREATER IMPACT OF HUMANITARIAN INTERVENTIONS

ESLF Founder and Benue State First Lady, Dr Eunice Ortom has urged women led Civil Society Organisations – CSOs to unite for greater impact of humanitarian interventions.

Dr Ortom charged the women in a remark presented during the official launch of Women in Humanitarian Response in Nigeria Initiative (WiHRiNI) yesterday 13/09/19 at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, Nigeria.

Acknowledging that women and children face tougher adverse effects of violence, the First Lady noted with delight that the initiative was a step towards improving the living conditions and dignity of women and children displaced by violent crisis in Nigeria.

Decrying the herder-farmer violence which has thrown up a huge humanitarian crisis in Benue State with the displacement of an estimated 483,692 persons of which nearly 60% are women and children, the First Lady was firm in her resolve that “Women should have a voice in how they are served.” This is more so that current response is largely coordinated by men, resulting in obvious gaps which further aggravate the suffering of women.

Other factors of the humanitarian situation in the State as noted by Dr Ortom include; The shallow nature of the River Benue leading to perennial flooding and attendant displacement of residents in many parts of the State at the height of the rainy season especially with the release of water by the Cameroonian authorities. Dr Ortom also noted pockets of internal issues as contributing to the humanitarian crisis in the State.

While thanking Government, development partners and women led CSOs for their various roles in providing humanitarian assistance in troubled communities, the ESLF Founder expressed willingness and commitment to working with all partners to ensure that women were not left behind. “The role of partnership in achieving shared development and humanitarian objectives cannot be overemphasized,” she buttressed.

Beyond her work through partnerships in emergency settings via Eunice Spring of Life Foundation in the education, health, protection, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene sectors, Dr Ortom explained that as Wife of Governor, she was doing all she could, working with State actors to bring lasting peace to the State and her good people.

Among the objectives of WiHRiNI is “to promote effective humanitarian response through coordinated and collaborative approach with relevant stakeholders in crisis situations.”

The ESLF Founder and First Lady was represented at the launch by Ms. Elizabeth Jeiyol, National Coordinator, Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council, (WSSCC) Nigeria.