NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (NGOS) AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS OF ARMED CONFLICTS IN NORTH-EAST NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

Conflict resolution is more critical than ever because of the proliferation and intensification of conflicts at all scales. Governments, non-governmental organizations, and international organizations have come to the awareness that greater time and resources need to be dedicated to managing conflicts and that the work for peace requires the collaboration of several groups at all levels. Governments frequently fall short in addressing issues relating to delicate and complicated disputes due to their rigid structure. Governmental resources and ineffective agencies have also been determined to be insufficient in this regard. The most recent trend has been to look for alternative paths for resolving disputes and to use available resources to support official efforts. NGOs can play a crucial role in many unresolvable conflicts, in addition to fostering a favorable environment for negotiations when those chances are not apparent to the disputing actors. Nowadays, maintaining agreements established is viewed as a part of maintaining peace. Perhaps no group is better suited to handle this role than NGOs.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Violence has emerged as the main export due to the north’s underdevelopment and lack of investment. Bad educational institutions and extreme sects are directly related. inadequate educational standards establish a structural pattern of undeveloped that is difficult to escape. Abimbola Adesoji claims that “in certain cases, the situation had gotten worse. Underdevelopment in underdeveloped regions is fueled by economic reliance on natural resources (Adesoji, 2010). The situation in the northeastern part of Nigeria, where Boko Haram is active, is similar to the story as a whole. The fact that the region’s political economy has not advanced as much even without terrorism has made the effects of terrorism in that region of Nigeria worse.

The group has targeted government buildings indiscriminately, bombed churches, mosques, and other public places assassinated powerful people, and set fire to schools after periodically killing defenseless bystanders (Akintunde, 2014). Nearly 200,000 people were relocated to the northeast in 2018 as a result of Boko Haram’s attacks. Due to terrorism, many Nigerians have left their homes in quest of safety (World Report 2019). Since 2009, Boko Haram has killed several people, including an undetermined number of women and children. There will probably be a lot more fatalities than that, though. There have been bombings of civilians as well as killings, beheadings, amputations, and stones. Their actions got underway after Boko Haram and the Nigerian Police fought in July 2009. The Nigerian Police launched an investigation into the organization after receiving reports that it was arming itself. Over 800 people were killed in violent battles with Nigerian security forces after numerous leaders were detained in Bauchi. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/new/world-africa). Before these fights, several Muslim elders and at least one military official warned the authorities about Boko Haram. Reportedly, people disregarded the warnings. In Borno State’s Dada Alemderi neighborhood of Maiduguri, four people were killed by the group in January 2010 (The Nation Newspaper, 2nd February 2010, p. 8.). In addition to his brother and four police officers, a candidate for governor was killed by the group on Friday, January 28, 2011. ( The Nation Newspaper, 29th January 2011, p. 12.). On May 29, 2011, 15 people were killed when Boko Haram detonated a series of bombings in northern Nigeria. (The Nation, 30 May 2011, p.6)

On August 27, 2011, Boko Haram members exploded a bomb outside the United Nations building, which resulted in another terrorist attack that claimed 23 lives. The world was made aware of this historic event, which was seen as an attack on not only Nigeria but also the entire international community. Before the bombing of the UN building on August 16, the fundamentalist organization committed its most outrageous act when it attacked the police headquarters in Abuja on June 17, 2011. Following the bombing of the police headquarters, the group carried out other attacks in Maiduguri on June 27, including an attack on a beer sales outlet. Three customs officials were hurt and two girls perished in a second bombing that happened in Maiduguri on June 27, 2011 (The Sun Newspaper, June 28).

All over the world, the quest for sustainable peace and security has continued to bother the mind of all stakeholders- international organizations, governments, security agencies, NGOs, grassroots organizations, communities’, etc. the challenge has assumed higher momentum in the context of the post –cold war period which has unleashed major transformation in the global balance of power and the structure of attaining global peace. New player-particularly NGOs- have joined the race for peacebuilding and policy-marking. This is not surprising because everybody is affected by conflict in its various ramifications and at all levels of society- ranging from micro-to macro-level (Deutsch and Coleman 2000) (Imran 2008)

Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) are non-profit making organizations that operate across the world protecting and preventing different societies that are deemed vulnerable for the collective common good and promoting their living standards for a better future. These organizations deal with other issues across the globe. In many occasions, these issues can be addressed in three different frameworks which may vary based on the focus of a given debate. One of them being looking at world politics and how to stabilize global political temperatures, the other one is to participate in global community social activities and make the less developed communities compete globally, and Finally, it strengthens institutional legal framework of different states (Ayaz, 2016). The NGOs contribution to the world today in different sectors include: development, peacekeeping, human rights, democratization, conflict resolution, gender issues, health, environment and education.

In popular dialogue about NGO in countries of conflict relief is typically seen as a nobler of two option, provide aid or get out, whether an organization remain at the scene of evacuate, it typically continues to educate global civil society about situation make place for financial support, and drags (inter) governmental actors “do something” to the average donor, distanced from violence unaware of the complexity and local politics. The level of action can seem brilliant, brave, even hopeful, Aail (2009) explain often NGO’s in conflict are not examined critically because if they are at least meeting some basic needs.

Such organizations are minorities but lesson learned from those activities can applied elsewhere conflict are complex and multilayered, no magic bullet will end violence only holistic peace building occurring at multiple dimension at all level of society will produce lasting peace resolution. As a result there is shortage of work to be done in the field of peace and conflict resolution and few P/CRO’s cannot act alone since generalized development NGOs have communicated to long term solution structural society change, strategic conflict transformation fit naturally among their objectives. Those transnational gains are the enormous capacity to work in addition to trillions of dollars they have socio – political resources aplenty, and connections with local civil society. Approval of local government’s relevant cultural and historical knowledge, established country offices and staff well-worn system of delivery and vast international access to donors and advocate to squander those resources on emergency aid is an enormous loss to the promise of world peace. As traditional development NGOs begin to include the peace world in their repertoire of responses, they can learn from the pitfalls and successes of P/CPOs. This thesis will draw on such lessons, explored in growing literature to suggest recognized NGOs and conflict. (Margaret 2011)

1.2 Statement of the Problem

NGOs increasingly work “in the field,” providing humanitarian relief and development assistance in post-terror places. As they carry out their work, they face many serious problems. Insurgencies often deny them access to those in need, terrorist groups demand payoffs, and local violence threatens the safety and even the lives of field personnel. Donors also subject these NGOs to political pressure, diminishing their neutrality. Nongovernmental Organizations face a lot of challenges in the discharge of their duties often caused by Insurgent activities. They are faced with the dilemma; should they negotiate with terrorists to deliver aid, or should they maintain independence and impartiality? Some Nigerian agencies like WACOL operate only through local partners because they cannot negotiate with terrorist-affiliated groups. Red Cross has resorted to having armed escorts and allowing Movement for Peace in Africa Awake to supervise the aid distribution. Although impartiality is valuable for the long term humanitarian aid agencies feel they are forced to compromise these principles to gain aid access according to Osueke (2006)

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main objective of this study was to assess Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and humanitarian assistance for victims of armed conflicts in North-East Nigeria.

To achieve the objective of this research the following will be looked into:

1. To assess the role of NGOs in the prevention of armed conflict in Nigeria.
2. To examine the effectiveness of NGOs in preventing conflict and peacebuilding in restive areas.

iii.            To identify the way forward for NGOs in conflict resolution in Nigeria.

1.4. Research Questions

To achieve the objectives stated above, the following research questions were used as a guide in achieving the objectives of this research work:

1. What are the roles of NGOs and International Organizations in preventing armed conflict in the Northeast region of Nigeria?
2. How effective have NGOs been in preventing armed conflict in the Northeast region of Nigeria?

iii.            What is the way forward for NGOs Organization in conflict resolution in Nigeria?

1.5. Research Hypothesis

To solve the problems mentioned in the research questions, the following hypothesis is formulated:

Ho:     NGOs are not effective in preventing armed conflict in the Northeast region of Nigeria

H1:     NGOs are not effective in preventing armed conflict in the Northeast region of Nigeria

1.6 Significance of the Study

One of the benefits of this research work is to researchers and academics. It will be of tremendous help to governments and their agencies in tackling insurgency and the challenges that come with it.

The findings and recommendations of the researcher will help bring to the fore the role of Nongovernmental Organizations and International Organisation in preventing armed conflict in the Northeast region of Nigeria coupled with limitations to their work.

It will also be readily available for international organizations that may need insight into what it is like for NGOs working in affected areas.

1.7. Scope of the Study

This research work focuses solely on the role of Non-Governmental Organizations in preventing armed conflict in the Northeast region of Nigeria. It also touched on the challenges of Insurgency and how it affects the work of NGOs.

Based on the findings of this study, another research area touched on is Peacebuilding.

1.8 Limitations Of Study

This research work was carried out under a tight schedule. The time frame was short between lectures and private studies.

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