In its efforts to support victims of the bomb blast, procedures have been put in place by the United Nations to facilitate travel to South Africa for family members, some of whom have already arrived in South Africa.
This was disclosed in a press release by the communications officer, Advocacy, Media and External Relations , Blessing Ejiofor and made available to LEADERSHIP.
According to the release, the UN Security Services and the UN Country Team is equally on ground in South Africa providing support and assistance to these families.
It reads, “Assistance is being given to the families of the deceased in coordination with the Nigerian authorities. In collaboration with the Nigerian Ministry of Health and Federal Capital Territory, a team of UN doctors is working with medical personnel in the clinics and hospitals in Abuja where the injured remain under care.”
“A dedicated 24-hour counseling service and hotlines have been set up by the United Nations to support families, UN staff and anyone affected, and every effort is being made to assist bereaved families and those injured during this horrific incident.”
“This devastating attack has taken the lives of our colleagues and partners and maimed many people all of whom were in the building in the pursuit of service to others” said UN Resident Coordinator Daouda Toure. “Their sacrifice will not be in vain; we will strive to pursue our work, the work for the people of Nigeria as prescribed in the UN Charter, which says ‘we the people’. We identify with the people and only the people.”
The statement added that the United Nations would continue on its mission to improve the lives of poor people, to conquer hunger, disease and illiteracy and to encourage respect for each other’s rights and freedoms.
Over the past seven days, agencies in the UN Country Team have been assisting the federal government in responding to cholera outbreaks and providing emergency supplies to distressed families as a result of natural or man-made disasters.