…receives applause from international community
The Yobe state government has launched its inaugural policy dedicated to internally displaced persons (IDPs), marking a significant milestone in addressing their needs within the state.
The policy commits 5 percent of the state budget to tackle the challenges confronting IDPs and their host communities.
Built upon humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, and independence, the policy outlines strategic goals aimed at safeguarding, providing essential services, and promoting sustainable solutions for displaced individuals in the state.
It also underscores the rights of all displaced persons, with a special emphasis on women, children, and other vulnerable groups, ensuring their active participation in decision-making processes.
During the launch in Abuja on Thursday, July 4, Governor Mai Mala Buni highlighted the policy’s significance in addressing the complex challenges posed by the Boko Haram insurgency and natural disasters, which have devastated infrastructure, healthcare, education, and livelihoods in the region.
He said the crisis has also forced thousands of the States’ citizens to flee their homes, creating a massive humanitarian crisis that demands an organized and strategic response to provide support to the affected persons and communities.
He, however, noted that the policy was the result of extensive consultations with various stakeholders, including UN agencies, the World Bank, the Federal Government of Nigeria, local communities, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, traditional rulers, and the displaced persons themselves.
He said: “This policy embodies our collective determination to protect the rights and dignity of IDPs, offering them a pathway to regain their stability and rebuild their lives towards a durable solution.
“By prioritising the holistic wellbeing of IDPs, we aim to foster sustainable development and promote peace and stability within our state and across Nigeria”.
The governor assured stakeholders of transparency and accountability throughout the policy’s implementation, saying, “We recognize that the success of this policy hinges on the concerted efforts of all sectors of society, including government agencies, civil society, the private sector, and international partners”.
The policy’s launch was met with commendations from development partners, including the World Bank and the North East Ambassador, among others
Cynthia Rowe, Chair of the North-East Ambassadors Group and Head of Development Cooperation for the United Kingdom in Nigeria commended Yobe for its inclusive approach and commitment to voluntary and informed relocation of IDPs.
“It honors people’s rights, it honors their dignity, and it gives them a better chance of restarting their lives with the support of the communities around them.
“Yobe is leading the way in support for internationally displaced persons on that. So Yobe was the first state to domesticate the national policy, tailoring the policy to its own context and communities.
“And as a group, we just want to strongly commend the inclusivity of your approach across IDPs to host communities, to civil society, and alongside government agencies as well,” she added
Rowe assured continued support from the international community, emphasizing the importance of partnerships in mobilizing resources and expertise to effectively implement the policy.
“We will continue with our technical assistance, cooperate on security, and support life-saving humanitarian and development objectives,” she said.
SOLID Project Coordinator, Suleiman Dauda presented an overview of the policy document, explaining its focus on protecting citizens from displacement and providing assistance during rehabilitation, return, reintegration, and relocation.
He highlighted that the policy aligns with national and international laws on internal displacement, using a human rights-based approach.
The policy aims to protect, assist, and reintegrate IDPs in compliance with national and international standards.
It includes principles such as protecting IDPs’ dignity and rights, supporting their involvement in decision-making, and ensuring their access to basic needs like shelter, food, water, healthcare, and education.
While presenting an overview of the policy document, the Project Coordinator, Suleiman Dauda said the policy framework and scope examined displacement stages from pre-emergency to recovery (rehabilitation, reintegration, return, and relocation) for durable solutions, thereby emphasising Yobe State Commitment to protect citizens from displacement and provide assistance during their rehabilitation, return, reintegration, and relocation.
On the commitment of more funds to the IDPs’ issues, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Baba Mallam Wali said the State government is committing 5% of its budget to the IDPs, separate from the statutory budgetary provisions for the fiscal year.
This is also without prejudice to the statutory budgetary allocations to infrastructure development and expansion, rural construction, education, health, water supply, and other infrastructure facilities, he noted.
“This has shown the determination and commitment to the ownership of the Policy by the State government which was the reason for committing a lot of money to that cause.
“Having been convinced by the direction of the government, our State’s Legislature as well as our development partners and international agencies have all committed to support the Policy as indicated earlier by them,” he added.
