Displaced Persons: United Nations calls for reassessment of approaches

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees, (UNHCR) has called for reassessment of approaches from all stakeholders and partners to secure lasting solutions for forcibly displaced without immediate solutions and the ability to plan for their future and human right.

The UNHCR Country Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Chansa Kapaya, made the call at a UNHCR capacity building workshop in Abuja, the nation’s capital, with the aim to create concrete foundation for reviewing the action plan and formulating broader recommendation for comprehensive strategy at the state level.
Ms. Chansa Kapaya, who was represented by the UNHCR, Assistant Country Representative, in Nigeria Mr. Gilbert Mutai, also explained that a large number of individuals in Northeast are displaced due to conflict, intertribal clashes and natural disasters, with Borno having the largest population of 1,640,408 followed by Adamawa 223, 910 and Yobe with 151, 366 respectively, an bring these population out this challenge should be every ones priority.

“UNHCR’s pilot project, the Labondo Local Integration Project in Adamawa State, is one of the initiatives that exemplifies a multi-sectoral, area-based approach that prioritizes community empowerment, sustainable housing, and socio-economic development. As we move forward, ensuring the sustainability and scalability of these initiatives is crucial and will require the expertise and financing of development partners, through our combined efforts, we can build upon the progress made so far and ensure that the project continues to improve the lives of those in need.”

According to IDMC’s 2021 Annual Report, thirty eight million people have been displaced across 141 countries and territories in 2021
due to conflict, violence, and disasters.

To this Ms. Kapaya, said that UN remains committed to providing displacement solution in the Northeast.

“In response to global internal displacement crisis, the UN Secretary-General established high-level panel on internal displacement in 2020, the panel report has led to the UN Secretary-General’s Action Agenda on Internal Displacement, focusing on  prevention, protection and assistance an durable solution.

“The UNHCR is dedicated to enhancing its predictions and decisiveness in addressing internal displacement, working closely with partners to deliver protection-driven responses that advance solutions for all. It is focusing on responding to emerging global trends affecting solutions to internal displacement, including protection, urbanization, climate change and funding complexities. UNHCR aims to assist IDPs, affected communities, and government in overcoming displacement consequences.’’

According to the Executive Secretary, Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Mohammed Suleiman, Executive-Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) in Adamawa, Adamawa host over 236,000 IDPs in the state, with only 80 percent indigenes

“The IDPs could return to their communities of abode, in order to be re-integrated in the community or be relocated elsewhere to places of their choice. So, in Adamawa, a good number of them from the survey have shown interest of being relocated in the host community. So with the help of UNHCR, the governor has approved a piece of land and provided the durable solution pilot project now, they have completed the houses and other basic necessities of life. In terms of durable solution, you have to provide shelter, security and then, look at the community safety that has around 3000 individuals and we are expecting another 2700 IDPS to come in,” he said.

He added that“Health center had been provided in the place, as well as nine classrooms with office blocks, portable water and renovation of some market stalls. over 600 IDPs mainly women had been trained in tailoring and hand knitting among other things, to improve IDPs livelihood and achieve meaningful durable solution.’’

In Adamawa state, the establishment of government led mechanisms, suh as th urabl solutions String Committee and the Technical Working Group on Durable Solutions, has created momentum to advance solutions for the displaced an their host communities.

Speaking, the IDP Chairman in Adamawa State, Mr. Ahmed Gadama, said that most issues been faced by IDPs had become a thing of the past.

“The project brought about provision of 500 housing units and other benefits to the region. The existing properties only had six classroom blocks, the existing one was not in use before, now there is need for more e health centres, therefore we call on the government and other all stakeholders to come to our aid.”

The Nigerian government has demonstrated its commitment to addressing internal displacement through its national IDP policy and ongoing efforts to domesticate the Kampala Convention.

PIAK