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Tag: IDP

  • FG establishes IDP centre in Lagos

    FG establishes IDP centre in Lagos

    The Federal Government has established migrants and  internally displaced persons re-integration centre in the Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos State.

    The centre which was commissioned last week by Hajiya Hadiza Sani Kangiwa,the Honourable Federal Commissioner , National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, was established in conjunction with Web of Hearts, a non-governmental organization based in Lagos State.

    Highlighting the importance of the centre, Hajiya Kangiwa said: “This centre is to serve as a component of the Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) programme. We have set it up in collaboration with Web of Hearts with whom we have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to serve as a transit centre where returnee migrants would be provided with counselling  services, mentorship, family reunification, skill acquisition, training, temporary accommodation and much more.”

    The executive director of Web Heart, Bose Aggrey expressed optimism that the centre would encourage a lot of Nigerians stranded abroad to return home.

  • Dogara seeks permanent solution to IDP crisis

    Dogara seeks permanent solution to IDP crisis

    Violence across the country must be put to an end if the crisis of internally displaced persons is to be contained, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon.Yakubu Dogara, has said.

    Dogara made the statement Thursday while receiving a delegation from the National Commission For Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons led by its federal commissioner,  Hajiya Hadiza Kangiwa in the National Assembly‎.

    ‎The House of Representatives, Dogara said “believe in permanent solutions.”

    He further stated: “There is this challenge that we need to tame the tide of violence that resulted in the displacement in the first place. I guess that is the biggest challenge we are facing. If we are able to resolve that and they go back to their communities, then we would have depopulated the camps.”

    The Speaker noted that the solution may not be near until the issue of Boko Haram insurgency is no longer viewed as a regional problem but treated with the same national gloves with which Niger Delta militancy was addressed.

    He said due to cases of challenges of authority and o‎ther forms of rebellion around the world, it has become imperative for the government to be proactive to issues related to addressing displaced persons who are affected by such crisis by making adequate preparation for catering to their needs.

    “Whether we like it or not, the problem of refugees and internally displaced persons are problems that we cannot just wish away. The world is changing in a fashion or in a manner that no one could have predicted. Some of those things we thought were traditionally impossible for Nigerians to do; in those days we used to say no Nigerian could blow himself up but we’ve come to say that they are a lot of our citizens who are motivated to embark on such missions.

    “If care is not taken, it is a problem which we may be stuck in for quite some time. That therefore calls for deliberate planning and not just adhoc measures on the part of government, because if we resort to emergency situations that we alluded to; it is only when the thing happens to that we begin to think about what we intend to do, then that will not take us anywhere.”

    ‎The speaker also recounted his experience during his visit to an IDP camp in the FCT and

    Dogara encouraged the Commission to provide IDP camps basic facilities such as schools to provide basic education, health services to provide at least maternity services and portable water.

    On the issuance of identification cards to IDPs, he said, “I don’t know who is in charge of processing who is an IDP because you can’t really identify who an IDP is but in other countries, I know that they are processed, identified and profiled and even ID cards given, but I don’t know if that the case with Nigeria.”

    Hajiya Kangiwa in her speech earlier lauded the National Assembly for its efforts at providing durable solutions to the ‎issue of IDPs and refugees in the country, while advocating for the adopting of measures that will decongest the camps.

    “We are very encouraged by the way the National Assembly -Senate and the House – are approaching this durable solutions thing. By now, all of us have come to realize that displacement issue is not all about emergency.

    “Everybody is aware by now that camps are not solutions to the problem of refugees and internally displaced persons; state governments, federal governments, everybody. We have developed a number of strategies at approaching the displacement, especially solutions in the short term, in the middle term and the long term,” she said.

  • Senators, Service chiefs meet on relocation of IDPs

    Senators, Service chiefs meet on relocation of IDPs

    The Caucus of Northeast Senators yesterday met with the Service chiefs to address the relocation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their local government areas.

    Senate Leader Mohammed Ali Ndume, who addressed the Service chiefs before the parley moved into a closed session, said the meeting was necessary following President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive that steps should be taken to relocate IDPs to their local government areas.

    Ndume, who represents Borno South, said the plan to relocate the IDPs was informed by the relative peace in Borno and Adamawa states.

    He said the IDPs involved were those from Borno and Adamawa states camped in Maiduguri and other places.

    The senator noted that because of the relative peace in some local governments, some IDPs have been returning back to their homes.

    Ndume said there was need to open the highways to improve commercial activities.

    He noted that because of the closure of some highways, commercial activities were limited because people could not move easily.

    He said the Service chiefs were invited to brief the lawmakers, who inform their constituents in the Northeast.

    Ndume said the meeting was important especially now that the National Assembly was debating the 2016 budget.

    Another caucus member, Abubakar Kyari, hailed the Service chiefs “for the wonderful work you are doing to bring peace to the Northeast.

    He said: “ I have seen the great work you are doing to bring peace to the Northeast. I have received intelligent reports from some of my constituents. I want to commend you for the good work you are doing.”

    The Service chiefs, including the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, who were represented at the meeting, did not speak to reporters.

    The Caucus of Northeast Senators yesterday met with the Service chiefs to address the relocation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their local government areas.

    Senate Leader Mohammed Ali Ndume, who addressed the Service chiefs before the parley moved into a closed session, said the meeting was necessary following President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive that steps should be taken to relocate IDPs to their local government areas.

    Ndume, who represents Borno South, said the plan to relocate the IDPs was informed by the relative peace in Borno and Adamawa states.

    He said the IDPs involved were those from Borno and Adamawa states camped in Maiduguri and other places.

    The senator noted that because of the relative peace in some local governments, some IDPs have been returning back to their homes.

    Ndume said there was need to open the highways to improve commercial activities.

    He noted that because of the closure of some highways, commercial activities were limited because people could not move easily.

    He said the Service chiefs were invited to brief the lawmakers, who inform their constituents in the Northeast.

    Ndume said the meeting was important especially now that the National Assembly was debating the 2016 budget.

    Another caucus member, Abubakar Kyari, hailed the Service chiefs “for the wonderful work you are doing to bring peace to the Northeast.

    He said: “ I have seen the great work you are doing to bring peace to the Northeast. I have received intelligent reports from some of my constituents. I want to commend you for the good work you are doing.”

    The Service chiefs, including the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, who were represented at the meeting, did not speak to reporters.

     

  • Yobe SEMA circumcises 60 IDP children

    Yobe SEMA circumcises 60 IDP children

    Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) on Saturday organised a circumcision ceremony for boys aged from five years to 10 years at Pompomari Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Damaturu.

    The Executive Secretary of SEMA, Alhaji Musa Jidawa, said 60 boys were circumcised according to the tradition and custom of the people.

    “Circumcision of boys as we all know is the first initiation (rite) of the boy to manhood which is his right and we have just given them this right today,” Musa said.

    The secretary said some of the boys lost their parents to Boko Haram attacks on their villages, while others were with their parents in the camp.

    “The agency provided each of the circumcised boys with a blanket, a set of new clothes and a chicken as is done traditionally.

    “We have made adequate medical arrangements at the camp clinic to provide them with medical treatment and needs for speedy healing.

    “The agency in conjunction with the community leaders and parents agreed to circumcise them at this period of cold season because it heals faster,” Musa said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the displaced persons put behind their pains and celebrated the event with fanfare.

    The parents expressed appreciation for the circumcision of the chidden and said that it had given them a sense of belonging.

    Bulama Muhammadu, a community leader, said SEMA had always made the displaced persons feel at home.

    “Since we were admitted into this camp, SEMA has been very supportive, it has been further proved today that SEMA is making us feel at home away from home,’’ he said.

    Hauwa Goniri, a widow whose two children were circumcised, said SEMA took over the responsibility of her late husband, which was transferred to her after his death.

    Goniri said that they were highly grateful for the important event in the lives of the children.

  • Immunisation: NPHCDA targets children at IDP camps

    Executive Secretary, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Ado Muhammed Wednesday disclosed plans to extend a follow up immunisation campaign on measles to 96 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the North East.

    Meanwhile, the Federal Government has planned to immunize 39million children from measles in this year’s measles vaccination campaign, which kicks off at the weekend.

    The campaign which was officially flagged off on Friday in Abuja is aimed at vaccinating children within the ages of nine months to five years.

    Minister of Health Dr. Isaac Adewole who flagged off the Nationwide campaign ‎said “For this present campaign, the goal is to immunise 39million Nigerian children, this we shall do and if there is the need to go beyond that, we will do so, I want to assure you that we should make sure that this becomes a routine, so that we do not have to conduct follow up campaigns every now and then, we should spread the gospel that the vaccine is safe and cheaper to prevent measles than treat the complications of measles like pneumonia, deafness, blindness etc.”

    He also explained that “Measles has ravaged our land, decimated our children, inflicted untold miseries on our children and killed many of them, as of year 2000, estimate indicated that about 523,000 children died from measles, this will be unacceptable to any serious government and therefore we join the campaign of the WHO to contribute to the elimination of measles by 2020.

    “We will raise the bar and coverage of this campaign beyond 80%, our believe is in universal health coverage we want to ensure that every Nigerian, young or adult, has access to health and we will reach them with every available means of health care delivery, particularly preventive measures to ensure that they live well.

    “It is going to be an administration with a change, change in the sense that we want to cover Nigerians, we want to target poor people, over 65% of our people are poor and so we must take health to their doorsteps, we recognise the fact that many of them cannot pay for the cost of transportation, so our duty as a responsible administration is to put health at their doorsteps, so that they can contribute meaningfully as Nigerians to the development of our great nation.”

    NPHCDA boss, Dr. Ado Muhammed said during a briefing on Integrated National Measles Campaign in Abuja‎ that the programme would be implemented at IDP camps in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    According to him, the campaign became important to reduce measles epidemic in the country. He said addressing measles epidemic would reduce under-five mortality by 40 per cent, adding that it would be replicated in the southern states of the country.

    He said that the first phase would start from 21st November to 26th November, 2015 ‎in the 19 northern‎ states while second phase would commence on 28th January to 1st February, 2016 in the17 Southern states.

    Muhammed said: “The campaign is structured in two ways. One is facility-based immunization in which we expect children and wards to primary health centres. We also have outposts that we have identified such as churches, mosques, schools and homes of our traditional leaders. We also build transit point so that we will not miss any child in that age range. We will also target motor parks and other hard-to-reach areas in-between states and international borders…

    “We also have made arrangement that all the IDP camps in the security-challenged areas of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa. As at last count, we have identified about 96 IDP camps, distributed in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, and also part of FCT. Those IDP camps are also part of temporary posts…

    “The essence is that no child should be missed. We do not want to miss any child. We are determined to have quality campaign. We are determined to ensure that we have optimal uptake of this exercise. We are trying to ensure that we achieve 95 percent coverage, so that we can reduce and bring to the barest minimum, the burden of this disease in this country.

    “The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency is committed to child survival. We know with effective immunization, about 40 percent of deaths in under-five can be reduced. We are committed to ensuring that we reduce to the barest minimum the burden of disease in this country.”

    However, Mohammed said the agency planned to achieve 95 per cent immunisation coverage in partnership with other development and health partners.

    “The agency has partnered other relevant agencies especially Non-Governmental Organisations to ensure the campaign is successful. The children to be targeted are from 9 months to 59 months. It is
    very important because a successful campaign would reduce 4 per cent of under 5 mortality in the country.

    “We want the media to also help us create more awareness on this campaign for the benefit of the masses. It will hold virtually at all public places including bus stops, churches, major traffic points, border towns among others,” he added.

     

  • MTN Foundation gives IDPs relief materials

    In its continuous bid to complement government’s efforts in providing succour to the needy, MTN Foundation has flagged off the distribution of relief materials to three Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDP) camps in North East, Nigeria.

    The relief materials meant to provide succour and brighten hopes were distributed to displaced persons in Government College, Maiduguri, Borno State; NYSC Camp, Yola, Adamawa State and Poponari Camp, Damaturu, Yobe State.

    The relief materials included: mattresses, pillows, bed sheets and pillow cases, bathing soaps, disinfectants, cooking pots, kerosine stoves and cartons of noodles.

    At the presentation ceremony in Adamawa, the Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Ms. Nonny Ugboma, represented by Dealer Account Executive in the Sales & Distribution division of MTN, Ms. Pedeino Mathias, said MTN was delighted to contribute to efforts that would ease the plight of the IDPs.

    “We have come to demonstrate our deepest concern for our brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers including children who have been affected by one disaster or the other. As the government strives to meet the needs of these individuals, this donation is part of the many projects of the MTN Foundation to support the efforts of the government to improve the quality of lives in our communities,” Ugboma said.

    On his part, the NEMA Camp Coordinator at NYSC Camp, Damare, Adamawa, Alhaji Balarabe Musa said, “We are really happy for the concern shown by the MTN Foundation and we assure you the items will be distributed to the IDPs. We appreciate the donations we receive from individuals and groups and we appeal for more to be able to meet the needs of the IDPs. NEMA is doing its best on behalf of the federal government to accommodate the IDPs and make them comfortable but we need the support of all.”

    The chairman of the IDPs, Alhaji Madu Goni who spoke on behalf of the IDPs in the Adamawa camp expressed satisfaction with the gesture shown by the MTN Foundation. He said that “by this donation, they have shown that they care for us and have concerns for our plight. We call on other organisations across the country to emulate this gesture and also support us.”

    The MTN Foundation, the corporate social investment arm of MTN Nigeria has invested over N13 billion in the areas of health, education and economic empowerment. The Foundation has 344 project sites across the 36 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory.

  • Boko Haram: IDP population rises to 2.2m, says UNHCR

    Boko Haram: IDP population rises to 2.2m, says UNHCR

    THE population of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Northeast has risen to 2.2 million, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) said yesterday.

    UNHCRs Representative to Nigeria Ms Angele Dikongue- Atangana gave the statistics in Abuja at the commission’s yearly stakeholders’ briefing.

    Ms. Dikongue- Atangana, however, said that the population rise at the IDP camps was not due to new displacement, saying the agency would not relent in its humanitarian support to the country.

    She urged UNHCR partners and donor agencies to assist refugees and displaced persons.

    Her words: “The number of IDPs is not really increasing as a result of new displacement.

    “There could be some relatively small new displacement in the course of combating insurgency and knowing that the insurgents themselves still remain active, especially in this hit and run tactic.

    “The number is increasing specifically because regaining control of the territory by the military opened further access for the humanitarian officials so they can count many more IDPs, be they old IDPs or very recent ones.”

    The country representative disclosed that UNHCR had recorded success in its 2015 operational activities in the country, including addressing refugee and IDP plights, advocacy on statelessness and collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

    According to her, the commission in its action plan supervised the voluntary repatriation of 452 Cameroonian refugees back to their country.

    She said that plans were already in progress to repatriate 165 others back to their country before the end of the year, while resettling others to a third country in Europe and the United States (U.S.).

    She said UNHCR was working closely with relevant bodies to ensure that IDPs had their basic rights, especially the right to existence, food, shelter, education, security, amongst other amenities.

    The UNHCR representative said that in line with the global campaign in eradicating the scourge, it had engaged the National Assembly in domesticating the frameworks that would prevent and reduce statelessness.

    Also speaking, Ms Liz Ahua, UNHCR regional representative to West Africa, urged donors and partners to take a trip to the field for a better understanding of the situation.

    According to her, the rate of displacement was alarming and actions needed to be taken fast as the displaced population could amount to the population of other smaller African countries.

     

  • Insurgency: IDP population rises to 2.2m – UNHCR

    Insurgency: IDP population rises to 2.2m – UNHCR

    The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) said on Thursday that the population of Internally Displaced People (IDP) in the North East had risen to 2.2million.

    The UNHCR Representative to Nigeria, Ms Angele Dikongue- Atangana gave the statistics in Abuja during the UNHCR 2015 stakeholders’ briefing of the commission’s representation in Nigeria.

    Dikongue- Atangana, however, said that the increase was not as a result of new displacement.

    She also said that the agency would not relent in its humanitarian support to Nigeria, urging partners and donor agencies to assist refugees and displaced persons.

    “The number of IDPs is not really increasing as a result of new displacement.

    “There could be some relatively small new displacement in the course of combating insurgency and knowing that the insurgents themselves still remain active, especially in this hit and run tactic.

    “ The number is increasing specifically because regaining control of the territory by the military opened further access for the humanitarian officials so they can count many more IDPs, be they old IDPs or very recent ones,’’ she said.

    The country representative disclosed that UNHCR had recorded success in its 2015 operational activities in Nigeria including addressing refugee and IDP plights, advocacy on statelessness, and collaboration with ECOWAS.

    According to her, the commission in its action plan supervised the voluntary repatriation of 452 Cameroonian refugees back to their country.

    She said that plans were already in progress to repatriate 165 others back to their country before the end of the year, while resettling others to a third country in Europe, and the U.S.

    She said that UNHCR was working closely with relevant bodies to ensure that IDPs had their basic rights especially the right to existence, food, shelter, education, security, amongst other amenities.

    The UNHCR representative said that in line with the global campaign in eradicating the scourge, it had engaged the National Assembly in domesticating the frameworks that would prevent and reduce statelessness in Nigeria.

    Also speaking, Ms Liz Ahua, UNHCR regional representative to West Africa urged donors and partners to take a trip to the field to be aware of the level of destruction for a better understanding of tge situation.

    According to her, the rate of displacement in Nigeria was alarming and actions needed to be taken fast as the displaced population could amount to the population of other smaller African countries.

  • Buhari to IDPs: you ‘ll be back home soon

    Buhari to IDPs: you ‘ll be back home soon

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday took a fresh message of hope to Nigerians displaced from their homes by the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast.

    He told Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Yola, Adamawa State that government is working hard to ensure that they  resume normal life at the earliest.

    The president also decorated three soldiers who sustained serious injuries in the ongoing operations against Boko Haram  with the Purple Heart medal for their gallantry.

    Four other soldiers were presented Operation Lafiya Dole medals.

    President Buhari said that the honour to the three wounded soldiers was in appreciation of their heroic contribution to the ongoing effort by the Armed Forces to end the Boko Haram insurgency.

    He said: “These very deserved medals are in recognition of your sacrifices. I hope it will inspire you to give more to the nation and I urge you to maintain your determination to bring peace to our fatherland.

    “With what I have seen today, I believe that the Boko Haram are very close to defeat and I urge you to quickly clear the remnants of these criminals from wherever they may still be hiding.

    “I also urge you to remain vigilant, alert and focused to prevent Boko Haram from sneaking into our communities to attack soft targets.’’

    Those decorated with the Purple Heart medal are Lance Corporal Kenneth Kulugh who was wounded in a battle with Boko Haram  at Magar Bridge, near Madagali; Private Anthony Sunday who  was wounded in a battle with Boko Haram at Gubla in  Adamawa State; and Private Danga Umar who sustained multiple gunshot injuries to both thighs at Magar Bridge, near Madagali.

    He later went to the Malkohi Camp where he told IDPs that “by the grace of God, it’s our wish that you will be at your farm next cropping season.”

    The president, who spoke in Hausa, said the government is determined more than ever before to end the Boko Haram menace. “My government is doing everything possible to rebuild your homes, schools hospitals and roads to enable you go back to your homes.”

    “Boko Haram will soon be a thing of the past.

    “I know that most of you are farmers and your farm land have been destroyed, but let me assure you that you will soon go back and continue in your farming.

    “We remain committed to ending Boko Haram, ensuring your safety and welfare, particularly your children and their education.

    Buhari assured the IDPs that government would not only recover their areas but help in rebuilding destroyed structures, particular schools and hospitals.

    He lauded  the Adamawa  State Government, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)  and other organisations for their effective handling of the IDPs and assured them of sustained  support from government.

    Welcoming the President, Governor  Umaru Jibrilla said  the state is burdened by the number of displaced persons, saying: “As I speak now, about 10,000 IDPs from Central Africa Republic are expected in Adamawa in three days’ time.”

    The Director General of NEMA, Sani Cidi, while welcoming the president said: “In Adamawa we have so far received 15,754 internally displaced and we are expecting about 10,000 more.”

    President Buhari had earlier decorated the wounded soldiers after inspecting a guard of honour by the 23rd Armoured Brigade of the Nigeria Army.

    He was  met on arrival at the Yola airport by Governor  Jibrilla, the Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara and other dignitaries including a former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.

    President Buhari  also paid a courtesy visit to the Lamido Adamawa, Dr Muhamadu Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha, attended the wedding Fatiha of three daughters of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and joined in the Jumat Prayer at the Airforce Mosque in Jibson Jalo Army Barracks, Jimeta, Yola.

    He was accompanied on the trip by the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande, Senator Ahmed Lawan and Senator Kabir Garba Marafa.

  • Five million IDPs in Northeast, says Dogara

    Five million IDPs in Northeast, says Dogara

    Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara yesterday said five million people were displaced in the Northeast.

    He explained that though the official figure of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) was put at 2.1 million, the actual number of people affected by Boko Haram insurgency might be five million.

    Dogara spoke when the Head of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, Angel Dekonge Antangara, visited him.

    The issue of the IDPs, the speaker said, “is dear to the House because they are Nigerians, who fall within the representation of the House”.

    “As an indigene of the Northeast, it is safe to say the number of IDPs in Nigeria can be up to five million. The NHCR deals with symptoms of terrorism, which is displacement,” he said.

    Dogara told his visitors that he sponsored a motion as the Speaker calling the attention of the Executive to the plight of IDPs.

    He added that the motion was aimed at working together with the Executive to bring about a lasting solution through the engagement of international donor conference on the plight of those in the Northeast.