The Nigerian Government has recommitted to ensuring that all persons of concern affected by the increasing incidence of conflicts caused by both human and natural disasters are protected.
President Muhammadu Buhari made the commitment at the Maiden edition of the National IDPs Day, organised by the National Commission for Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, in Abuja, Nigeria.
National policy on IDPs
President Buhari said that the attendant effect of the disasters had compelled the government to draft the National Policy on Internally Displaced Persons by the Federal Executive Council, FEC in 2021.
He said; “The recent flooding incidents that occurred in the country along with its devastating effects has indeed led to the displacement of many more citizens, rendering millions of fellow Nigerians homeless and causing massive destruction of properties, farmland and infrastructure across the country.
“The reality before us validates the choice of celebrating National IDP’s day. Our gathering here is to raise awareness on the plights of IDPs in Nigeria by recognising their courage and resilience while ensuring their participation in society and relevant decisions that affect them and promote their empowerment.”
The President said this year’s celebration has offered Nigeria the opportunity as a nation to publicly and symbolically demonstrate its solidarity with its brothers and sisters who have lost their livelihoods, their homes and even their loved ones to displacement.
“I wish to express our deep commiseration with all those who have lost loved ones, those who have lost their properties as well as all the affected communities and institutions.
“Let me reassure you that this Administration remains fully committed to the welfare and well-being of all Nigerians at all times,” he stated.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq said that durable solutions were considered to have been achieved when adequate standard basic human needs are been provided.
The Minister said; “The policy provides a framework for national responsibility towards prevention and protection of citizens and, in some cases, non-citizens, from incidences of arbitrary and other forms of internal displacement, meet their assistance and protection needs during displacement, and ensure their rehabilitation, return, re-integration and relocation after displacement.
” The policy also spells out the principles guiding humanitarian assistance and implementation of durable solutions in situations of internal displacement in Nigeria.”
According to her, the 2010 Inter-Agency Standing Committee Framework on Durable Solutions stipulates that durable solutions are considered to have been achieved when an adequate standard of living, including access to adequate food, water, housing, health care, basic education, employment and livelihood opportunities, as well as effective mechanisms to restore housing, land, and property, and the provision of compensation are provided.
Kampala Convention
The Minister added that efforts were ongoing on the domestication of the Kampala Convention which would entrench the appropriate legal and regulatory infrastructure for the protection of refugees and IDPs as well as the promotion of their welfare in Nigeria.
For her part, the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim said that the Commission would continue to guarantee that the most durable and sustainable solutions are put in place for the reintegration, rehabilitation and resettlement of all persons of Concern into the society.
Suleiman-Ibrahim said irrespective of the crises, the talents of the persons of Concern must be embraced.
“The Commission is therefore committed to facilitating access to social services and amenities in Host Communities, Camps and Settlements in collaboration with all stakeholders by emplacing frameworks that boost their level of availability and accessibility,” she explained.
Suleiman-Ibrahim said that “To further demonstrate the government commitment, the Commission’s Exit Camp Strategy, the National IDPs Policy, the implementation plan of the IDP Policy, the national action on durable solutions and domestication of the Kampala Convention will support our drive towards the provision of a durable solution while building resilience in our host communities as well as ensuring all Persons of Concern to develops better coping mechanism.”
Support
Similarly, the Nigerian legislature has pledged its unreserved support to the more than 3 million Internally Displaced Persons in the country.
The Chairman, House Committee on IPDs Mohammed Jega made the pledge while commending the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim for repositioning the Commission toward actualising the mandate of the Commission.
He said; “The National Assembly and House of Representatives, in particular, will continue to support the government of President Mohammed Buhari for prevention, protection and rendering assistance for the resettlement, and rehabilitation of Persons of Concern, to create hope and ensure they’re equally remembered and given their due places in the society so that they can give their contributions towards the development of this great country.”
In the same vein, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, UNHCR, said that Internally Displaced Persons were susceptible to harm as a result of the difficulties they face due to displacement.
Represented by the Assistant Representative -Operations, Gilbert Mutai, the UNHCR, Representative in Nigeria, Chansa Kapaya said “Children and girls are at risk of gender-based violence amongst other perils.”
She said “the Stakeholder plan of Action for advancing prevention, protection and solution for Internally Displaced Persons was launched in 2018 to address the situations properly.”
Priority issues
According to the UNHCR, the Action Plan was predicated on four priority issues for a more strategic, coordinated and collaborative action on IDPs.
She said; “Participation of IDPs in programmes and decision making, national law and Policy on internal displacement, data and analysis on internal displacement, as well as addressing displacement and securing long term solutions.
” We value the contribution of Humanitarian actors and partners as well as other stakeholders.”
Kapaya noted that regarding national law and Policy, the government had created an accessible environment about law, policy and governments.
Materials and equipments were also distributed to the Internally Displaced Persons by their areas of speciality which include welding, catering, tailoring, music and photography as empowerment start-up packs.
Responding, the Women leader of the Duumi Area 1, IDPs camp, Liatu Ayuba commended the Nigerian Government for its unrelenting support.
“We thank them because they teach us the skills and they give us equipment,”Ayuba said.
National IDPs day is in commemoration of the adoption of the African Union Convention also known as the Kampala Convention of October 23, 2009.
The theme for the maiden edition is “the journey so far, future of durable solutions.”
Mercy Chukwudiebere
