ICRC wants to work more with PREMIUM TIMES on humanitarian news

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) wants to strengthen its partnership with PREMIUM TIMES. They aim to improve humanitarian and conflict reporting in Nigeria, especially in areas affected by violence and displacement.

The ICRC team made this proposal during a visit to the newspaper’s office in Abuja on Thursday.

The team included Usman Kundili, an ICRC communications officer, and Aliyu Dawobe, an ICRC public relations officer. They met with Idris Akinbajo, Managing Editor of PREMIUM TIMES; Adeyemi Adesomoju, Deputy Managing Editor; Nike Adebowale-Tambe, Editor of the Health and Development Desk; and Willie Obasi, the newspaper’s Admin Manager.

During the meeting, Mr Kundili called PREMIUM TIMES an important media outlet for the ICRC. He highlighted their role in covering investigative stories, conflict, and human rights issues.

“For us, PREMIUM TIMES has been a key source and the top media we reference, especially for investigative, conflict and human rights issues,” he said.

He added that working together more closely would help journalists cover the humanitarian impact of conflicts. This includes issues like displacement, food shortages, malnutrition, missing people, and limited access to healthcare.

Mr Kundili also urged the media to pay more attention to protecting healthcare workers and medical facilities. He pointed out the need to look into possible violations of international humanitarian law (IHL).

ICRC explains its mission

Mr Kundili explained that the ICRC’s mission comes from the 1949 Geneva Conventions. It focuses on dealing with the humanitarian effects of armed conflicts.

He said the ICRC works to protect people caught in hostilities. This includes detainees, displaced persons, and those separated from their families.

The ICRC also visits detention centers, especially in north-eastern Nigeria. They monitor how detainees are treated and help them stay in touch with their families.

Mr Kundili said the ICRC's neutrality is key to gaining trust from all sides involved in conflicts. It also helps them reach people who need help.

“Neutrality is what allows us, in fact, to be able to carry out this mandate given to us by all countries, including Nigeria. Our goal is to reach people who need aid, and to do that, we need to talk to both sides,” he said.

He clarified that neutrality does not mean ignoring suffering or supporting armed groups. It allows the ICRC to negotiate for humanitarian access.

ICRC’s work in the north-west

Mr Dawobe shared that the ICRC provides help to internally displaced persons and communities facing long-term insecurity in north-eastern and north-western Nigeria.

Their work includes distributing essential items, promoting hygiene, and supporting access to water and other basic services.

He mentioned that their help is not just for people in displacement camps. They also support displaced persons living with host communities.

For example, at the Ramunkura camp in Sokoto State, the ICRC provides non-food items, hygiene services, and access to water.

Mr Dawobe said they are expanding their operations in Sokoto and other areas due to increasing humanitarian needs. He also spoke about concerns that humanitarian supplies sometimes reach armed groups, leading to accusations against aid organizations.

He explained that the ICRC engages both state and non-state armed groups to promote respect for international humanitarian law. This includes protecting captured fighters and their rights.

Mr Dawobe praised PREMIUM TIMES for its fact-checking efforts and work against misinformation.

“PREMIUM TIMES is one of the leading organizations in fact-checking. We appreciate all your reports and the efforts you put into combating misinformation,” he said.

Encouraging openness

In response to the partnership proposal, Mr Akinbajo welcomed the plan. He noted that the meeting clarified the different roles of the ICRC, the Nigerian Red Cross Society, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

He stated that the newspaper is open to working with groups that promote transparency, accountability, and a better society.

“Our goal at all times is to ensure that we use the tools to make Nigeria more open, more transparent, and a better country for the majority of the citizens,” he said.

Mr Akinbajo also mentioned that PREMIUM TIMES would like the ICRC to help journalists gain access to communities affected by conflict and internally displaced persons’ camps. This would help them gather first-hand information about humanitarian conditions.

The ICRC team announced that an international humanitarian reporting workshop is set for Abuja from December 1 to 3. Editors and journalists are expected to take part.