The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Niger says aid continues to be delivered to people in need amid the uneasy situation in the country.

UN deputy spokesperson for the secretary general, Farhan Haq, said this  at a news conference in New York on Tuesday.

“Last week, we and our partners carried out some 200 humanitarian field missions. Food distributions are underway in Diffa, in the east of the country, which hosts internally displaced people, refugees and returnees,” Mr Haq explained. “Humanitarian agencies are also preparing to distribute cash.”

The spokesperson added that the secretary general Antonio Guterres was concerned about the continued detention of President Mohamed Bazoum, the health and well-being of other detainees, and the failure so far to restore constitutional order in Niger.

He reiterated his support for the ongoing mediation efforts by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Answering a question on the diplomatic mission and humanitarian access to Niger, Mr Haq said they were separate issues.

He, however, noted that whereas there was need for humanitarian operations to be carried out on the one hand, on the other hand, there was the political process.

“On the humanitarian side, the secretary general calls for safe and unhindered access for the UN in the country, as well as the need to guarantee the continued operation of our humanitarian air services to allow the safe passage of humanitarian goods and services into Niger,” stated Mr Haq.

He further stated, “So that’s what we’re pushing for on that side. On the political side, our special representative, Leonardo Santos Simão, is currently in Abuja, Nigeria, where he’s actively engaging with relevant stakeholders.

“This is part of our ongoing efforts to seek a peaceful resolution to the crisis, and he will participate in the extraordinary summit on Niger this Thursday that has been announced by ECOWAS.”

(NAN)