The United Nations High Commission for Refugees, UNHCR, has donated medical equipment, an ambulance and utility vehicle to the government of Cross River State in southern Nigeria.
The Head of the UNHCR sub office Ogoja local government area in the northern district of Cross River, Mr. Tesfaye Bekele presented the vehicles and more than 200 vaccines carriers to Governor Ben Ayade in Calabar, the state capital.
Bekele expressed gratitude to the state government for hosting more than 50 thousand refugees of the 85,000 plus Cameroonians, who fled that country following hostilities between the Ambazonian secessionists and government forces.
“As we speak, there are over 85, 000 Cameroonian refugees hosted in this region and over 50 thousand of them are in Cross River with the majority of that number in Ogoja. We are all happy; we are expressing our gratitude and happiness to the state government for the efforts and support given to the refugees.”
According to him, the ambulance is fully equipped to enhance emergency services across the state, while the utility vehicle has been provided on the request of the Ogoja council chairman for security purpose.
“The ambulance is ready to be used for services across the state and the pickup is a donation at the request of the Ogoja local government for enhanced security. This is in addition to what we have already done. We expressed thanks to the Ogoja local government chairman for his support in providing security cover for the refugees,” Bekele said.
Food Sufficiency
Governor Ayade who commended the UNHCR for donations said this would enhance vaccinations and emergency healthcare.
Governor Ayade noted that hosting the largest number of Cameroonian refugees was challenging for Cross River due to the consequences on the state and people, urged the UN Refugee Commission especially the agency focus on global food security to boost supply across the camps in Nigeria.
“When the Ambazonian conflict started, we (Cross River) knew that it was going to be a big challenge for us because of the consequences that comes with accommodating refugees, especially the sociological implications of people, who have been completely dislocated from their communities having to live in a squatter and squalor setting.”
He further stated, “However humanity is humanity irrespective of colour, creed or race. So, we want to thank you for appreciating that we (Cross River) took a leap of faith to provide land for the United Nations Refugees. But, we will need your support particularly in the food supply chain for those young people.
“The population there has grown, the level of procreation is very high in the camp. The little children, who used to play football in the fields, have become adults. The number of people in the refugee camp may well be over 100 thousand with the fast rate of procreation observed there and I think food sufficiency becomes critical.”
He urged UNHCR to partner with the state by patronizing its agro-industries for food items for the refugees and expressed the hope that they would in future return to a peaceful homeland.
Improved Services
The Director General of the Cross River Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong said that the donation of ambulance would boost the state government’s emergency support services with the soon to be launched emergency healthcare policy.
“I specially thank the UNHCR for this laudable support. They have provided an ambulance and utility vehicle to support emergency services in Cross River State. With this ambulance, whether a person is at the creeks of Bakassi, emergency services would be provided before such a person can be transported to a secondary health facility where proper care can be given.”
The 200 vaccine carriers would be distributed across the primary health centres and posts in the 18 local government areas of the state.
Influx Of Refugees
UNHCR in Nigeria works to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees and asylum-seekers and internally displaced people (IDPs)
Since 2017 there has been steady rise in the influx of refugees to Nigeria due to the unabating conflict in the West African region, particularly the Republic of Cameroon axis.
From December 2017 to May 2021, the figure of Refugees in Nigeria increased from about 57,000 to 71,400 while about 73,000 refugees from various nationalities, were registered in Nigeria as at June, 2021
UNHCR/Additional Research/PIAK
