Commission for Refugees launches empowerment project for IDP women in FCT

Agency Reporter

The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons has launched an empowerment programme for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) women in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The empowerment programme tagged: Face Masks for “IDPs by IDPs”, is a partnership project with the Skilled Women Initiative (TSWINI).

Speaking at the official launch and public presentation of the project, the Honourable Federal Commissioner of the Commission, Senator Basheer Garbage Mohammed, said the project is aimed at protecting IDPs from the COVID19 pandemic, while providing a sustainable means of livelihood for the IDP women involved in the production.

Senator Mohammed said the Initial phase of the project has provided 500 masks in five days.

To improve sustainability, create income and create awareness for the skills available at the camp, he said A buy-one-make-one concept is proposed, where by the members of the general public can buy the masks produced by the women and for every mask purchased an IDP would get one free.

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He said: “Asides from ensuring sustainability, this concept will also increase the income generating capacities of the IDP women involved in the production and provide face masks for IDPs.

He added that the Commission intends to extend the partnership to produce hundreds of thousands of masks for IDPs (and other persons of concern such as refugees) by IDPs.

While commending the IDP women who have shown resilience in the face of the pandemic, and commitment in putting their tailoring skills to use to protect themselves and their communities as well as earn an honest living while doing so, he however commended the male IDPs for the moral support provide to the women.

“Some even went further to support the process of mask making by cutting and arranging the fabrics.

“While other stable communities can afford to make adequate provision for the purchase of facemasks, our persons of concern of internal living within the IDP camps and host communities might not be able to afford to purchase facemasks and other protective measures.

“Without access to facemasks, the possible rate of infection is bound to be high amongst inhabitants of the IDP community. To this end, as part of the Commission’s Covid 19 response strategy in Camps and Host Communities, the Commission in partnership with the Skilled Women Initiative (TSWINI) instituted this project.

He however enjoined partners, relevant stakeholders and the general public to patronise the project by purchasing the masks made by IDPs to contribute to their economic empowerment and self-sufficiency.