Mercy Corps has commended the foreign affairs ministry for facilitating a Nigerian’s swift and safe passage from war-torn Gaza.

Alkasim Abdulkadir, special assistant to foreign affairs minister Yussuf Tuggar, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said Tjada D’ oyen McKenna, Mercy Corps CEO thanked Mr Tuggar for his prompt and professional response to the distress call that enabled the evacuation of Joel Onyeke who is a senior official of the organisation.

“We want to thank you sincerely for your attention and swift action after our recent request for your advocacy and assistance in facilitating the safe passage of our team member, Mr Joel Onyeke, out of Gaza.

“After three harrowing weeks in a United Nations Development Programme bunker, on November 1, Onyeke safely crossed the Rafah border crossing from Gaza into Egypt and by November 3, he was reunited with his family in Abuja,” the Mercy Corps chief stated.

According to Mercy Corps, Mr Onyeke, a cash advisor, was the only foreign national team member employed in Gaza.

Mercy Corps also thanked the federal government for the support while stressing the need for a humanitarian corridor for aid delivery to Gaza and for the safe passage of foreign nationals out of Gaza.

“There is more work to be done to ensure the safety of all citizens in Palestine and Israel. We are hopeful for an end to these crises soon so that communities can begin to rebuild, humanitarian actors can continue to work for a stronger and more inclusive economy,” he said.

(NAN)