The Nation Newspaper

Tag: IDPs

  • UN agency, Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society launch Ramadan campaign to support IDPs

    UN agency, Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society launch Ramadan campaign to support IDPs

    The UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society have launched the Ramadan Campaign to help Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria.

    According to a UN report, over 3.4 million people are internally displaced in Nigeria, spreading across different regions of the Northeast, Northwest and Northcentral.

    Muslims all over the world are expected to commence this year’s Ramadan next week.

    Muslims, especially during the Ramadan, are expected to give Zakat and Sadaqah contributions of at least N1000 to help internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria. 

    The UNHCR Country Representative in Nigeria, Mohamed M. Malick Fall, who spoke in Abuja at the launch of Ramadan Campaign on collection of Zakat and Sadaqah, stressed the need to galvanise support for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria.

    Fall called for a holistic approach to explore other opportunities to support the most vulnerable and internally displaced families affected by the humanitarian crisis in Northeast Nigeria.

    He said, “In Arabic, the word Zaqat, means growth, praise, betterment, purification. Being the third pillar in Islam, it is understood how important this deed is based on the Islamic Holy scripture the Al-quran. What continues to give me hope is that even though we are faced with the challenges of internal displacement, the willingness and generosity of Nigerians to respond has not wavered. Nigerians, as I know, are people who deeply care and want to support their fellow Nigerians in need. Undoubtedly, Nigeria’s private sector, including citizens, companies and foundations, has a crucial role to play in assisting vulnerable internally displaced Nigerian families”.

    Read Also: NLC to Fed Govt: let salaries, wages be commensurate with cost of living

    The Country Representative in Nigeria also highlighted the effort made by the UNHCR, to assist the vulnerable.

    “UNHCR in Nigeria ensures wellbeing and safeguarding of the basic rights of the IDPs. We provide core relief items, including domestic utensils, dignity kits for women and girls of childbearing age, mosquito nets and clothing when available… These basic items provide much relief and help restore the dignity for people who have lost everything. Together with our partners, our work extends from emergency relief to longer term assistance and support through access to protection safety nets programmes, psycho-social counselling and where and when feasible, assist in the safe returns of IDPs,” he said.

    On his part, the National Chief Imam of Al-Habibiyyah Muslim Community, Imam Fuad Adeyemi, said they would be counting on the kindness of Nigerian Muslim community to support their very own.

    “We are pleased to partner with the UNHCR to support people forced to flee their homes because of violence and conflicts. Our fellow displaced brothers and sisters represent some of the most vulnerable among us. Each contribution of Sadaqah or Zakat, no matter how much or how little, will greatly support IDPs in need with the resources and tools to rebuild their lives.

  • Senator donates relief materials to IDPs

    Senator donates relief materials to IDPs

    Former Plateau South Senator, Nora Ladi Daduut, has donated relief materials to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Mangu, Bokkos and Barkin Ladi Local Governments Area (LGA) of Plateau state.

    Food items, consisting of several bags of rice, cartoons of maggie, clothing and other valuables, were distributed to the displaced victims at their various camps in the three local government councils.

    Daduut also paid a condolence visit to the paramount ruler of Mangu, Da John  Putmang Hirse.

    She said: “I’m here to commiserate with the People of Mangu Local government council over the unfortunate attacks that happened in the Council recently. These series of attacks have inflicted a lot of pain on the People of Mangu Local government.

    “The victims really need a lot of relief materials to cushion the effects of these pains, and I have come today in my small way to present these items.”

    She lauded the First lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu for recently donating N500 million to victims of Plateau attacks.

    She appealed to government and security agencies to ensure improvement in the security surveillance so that normalcy would return in several communities of Plateau.

    Read Also: FG delivers second consignment of relief materials to Nigerian refugees in Cameroon

    Daduut also lauded President Bola Tinubu for approving the establishment of a military barrack in Bokkos local government area of the state to curb the spate of killings in the council and the neighbouring Mangu, Riyom and Baraki-Ladi councils.

    A Jos-based clergy Ezikel Dachomo, who is the Director Prayer and Evangelism Unit of the Church of Christ in Nations, urged residents to continue supporting the leadership of President Tinubu’s administration as it remains committed to reducing the hardship Nigerians are currently going through, assuring of better days in no distant future.

    Dachomo said: “When our communities were attacked recently, the President Tinubu led administration immediately swung into action by ordering security chiefs to come to Plateau to come and access the situation

    “President Tinubu gave a marching order to the security operatives to ensure that lasting peace is restored in Plateau. The President also directed the military to address the security challenges facing parts of the state, which we did not witness in the previous administration.”

    He also hailed the first lady for recently donating the sum of N500 million to 500 families affected by violent conflicts in six local government areas of Plateau State.

  • How IDPs can be resettled, by Alia

    How IDPs can be resettled, by Alia

    Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has reiterated his determination to collaborate with the military to secure the state so that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) can return home. 

    He said:” We need peace in the form that enables our IDPs to go back home to their ancestral farmlands and for everyone to sleep with two eyes closed.”

    Rev.Fr. Alia held a meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, in Abuja on how to enhance military operations in  to ensure that peace is totally restored and displaced people are relieved. 

     The governor thanked the troops of ‘Operation Whirl  Stroke in Benue for making  progress in the fight against insecurity.

    He acknowledged that since assumption of office, the state has enjoyed relative peace.

    Alia said: “Operation Whirl Stroke’ is at home with the people, as they are in the trenches, across the 23 local government areas of the state, and sought for more presence of the military. But like Oliver Twist, we came to ask for more and present some more prayers, because we want not just relative peace, we want absolute peace.”

    The governor, in a statement  by his Principal Special Assistant on Print Media, Donald Kumun, extolled the military under the leadership of Gen.Musa, for the swift interventions in the state.

    He called for more military onslaught against bandits and killers operating in the state’s valley, killing innocent people, displacing families, sacking residents from their farmlands, and other destroying properties worth millions of naira.

    Alia urged the military to establish more forward operation bases, especially in local government areas that share border with the Cameroon in the state.

    The governor described Benue is one of the top states with solid minerals, adding that there is need to increase security to enable the state government derive economic benefits from the resources.

    Alia promised to support the military with resources to enable them carry out their duties effectively.

     Gen. Musa, assured the governor that the military would continue to enhance its operations and secure the state.

    Describing security as a joint enterprise, the Chief of Defence Staff urged stakeholders to assist security agencies with intelligence gathering. 

    He said: “We want to assure you that we will take these things into consideration in our deployment and we are going to enhance our capabilities going forward.

    Read Also: Prioritise your health, strengthen bonds with loved ones, God – First Lady tells elderly Nigerians

    “We want Benue State and the rest of Nigeria to be peaceful, we want every Nigerian to enjoy being in Nigeria and we want the internally displaced persons’ camps closed.

    “We want farmers to be able to go back to their farms and communities, so that they can live well. These are the efforts and the task we have ahead of us, and we assure Nigerians that they can rely and trust that the armed forces of Nigeria is here for them”.

    Alia  had flagged- off Exercise Enduring Peace III, on October 2in Guma local government area, being conducted by formations and units of the Nigerian Army, which has brought stability in the rural areas, as it is simultaneously being done in Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Abuja.

    The exercise is ongoing till January, 2024. It will go a long way in promoting inter-agency cooperation between officers and men of the Nigerian Army and the other security agencies with keen interest to participate in the Exercise. 

    Since it flag-off, it has strengthened civil/ military relations between the military and Benue people, through civil-military cooperation, including medical outreach programmes, educational and relief support.

     The exercise has turned the heat on criminals, kidnappers, armed robbers, cattle rustlers, recalcitrant herders/farmers, across the Benue communities.

  • Foundation feeds 19,000 IDPs in one year

    Foundation feeds 19,000 IDPs in one year

    A Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO), T200 Foundation, said it fed about 19,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in different camps around the country.

    T200 said it started its flagship programme Feed the Hungry Programme, on December 16, 2022 at the Durumni IDP Camp, Abuja where 2000 persons were fed

    The second edition took place in Maiduguri, at the EYA CAN IDP camp, Borno State where 7000 persons at the camp were fed on January 17, while the third edition was held at the Rabah IDP camp on August 17 where 10,000 persons were fed.

    Executive Director, of the Foundation, Ambassador Emmanuel Osadebay in a statement said with more than 130 million Nigerians within the hunger index in Nigeria, Nigeria ranks 103 out of the 121 countries and scores 27.3, signaling a serious and acute hunger level.

    He stated that T200 Foundation was established with the focus of feeding hungry and vulnerable Nigerians across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who face daily acute hunger challenge.

    Read Also: Challenges before Aiyedatiwa

    Osadebay added: “We have partnered with government agencies in achieving this great feat, including State Emergency Management Agencies in different states, the Nigerian Police Force, the military, Lead Generation Initiative, and particularly the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Sokoto State, where 10,000 persons at the Rabah IDP camp were fed and provided with other humanitarian support.

    “On May 28, T200 published its first Nigeria Zero Hunger Report at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

     The report adopted the State-by-State review as a composite measure of hunger and malnutrition in the states surveyed, using five key indicators access to food, undernourishment, child stunting, child waste, and child mortality. The report was meant to help policymakers to identify areas that require targeted interventions to address food insecurity and malnutrition.

    “The activities and programmes of the foundation are designed to help achieve the SDGs agenda 2 which is zero hunger, in Nigeria and across Africa. While feeding their stomach and smiles, we are committed to ensuring we create sustainable zero hunger options. This is the reason for the establishment of the T200 Integrated Farms Limited, which creates a wider employment and food security opportunities for vulnerable communities. We have also partnered with Blue Quarry and Mines Limited to provide the materials required in modern day farming for hungry and poor Nigerians.

    “T200 foundation is currently planning for the Feed the Hungry Programme for 15, 000 persons at the IDP camp in Kano, in partnership with the Kano State Emergency Management Agency, slated to hold in January, 2024. The Kano event is one of the events designed to mark the foundation’s one year anniversary.”

  • 2m IDPs in northeast face scarcity of services – Research

    2m IDPs in northeast face scarcity of services – Research

    A research report has shown that 2,367,554 internally displaced persons (IDPs) around states in the northeast face acute scarcity of essential services.

    The analysis, presented by resource persons at a workshop in the Adamawa state capital, Yola, said that over two million IDPs were forced into long-term displacement mostly by Boko Haram attackers as well as natural disasters like flooding and communal crisis in parts of the region.

    Putting the number of IDPs in Adamawa state alone at 223,910; the resource persons said a significant number of these IDPs are living with host community families.

    The resource persons, Dr Robert Onyeneke and Dr Ahmadu Tafida, in their paper presentation at an inception workshop on ‘Vulnerabilities to Changes In Water Systems of Conflict-Affected Communities in Adamawa State’, said only 18 per cent of IDPs have access to safe nutrition, among other similarly scarce essential supplies and services.

    Read Also: Minister inspects IDPs’ housing project in Abuja

    This happens, they said, becaues displacement causes disruptions in agriculture, leading to limited food supply. 

    Identifying challenges to displaced persons as safety, shelter, food, water, loss of livelihoods and social disintegration, the researchers recommended implementation of anticipatory actions by government and other authorities to prevent displacement or mitigate its effect.

    The research result presentation and solution finding workshop in Yola was organized by International Water Management Institute (IWMI), with support from some other organisatiins.

    The Regional Researcher (Climate Adaptation & Governance) of IWMI, Dr Okem Emmanuel, said the Inception Workshop in Yola assembled humanitarian sector stakeholders to sharpen understanding of vulnerabilities in the water sector in the context of internally displaced persons. 

    “We want to map out strategies and provide sustainable solutions to the problems people are facing. Participants will come up with a clear roadmap that is inclusive and responds to the needs of everybody,” Dr Okem said.

  • Minister inspects IDPs’ housing project in Abuja

    Minister inspects IDPs’ housing project in Abuja

    Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Dr Betta Edu, yesterday inspected houses being built for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Idu area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The one and two bedroom houses would be built to accommodate IDPs in states, as part of efforts to address multi-dimensional poverty in the country, Edu said.

    According to her, each house will be constructed at N3 million through direct labour involving the intended beneficiaries.

    She said:”The Tinubu administration is committed to providing shelter to accommodate at least five million displaced and vulnerable households in Nigeria.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu donates 300 vehicles to security agencies

    “If you recall the federal government had just approved the humanitarian trust fund which has 30 percent donation from the government and the remaining 70 percent from donor agencies and individuals.”

    The minister said work on a similar project for IDPs has commenced in Benue.

    ”The ground breaking of this project was done in Benue, and as we speak they have completed the clearing of about 10 hectares for the building of 40 houses,” Edu said.

    She said the structures are easy to build, and this would speed up the provision of the houses to IDPs in different part of Nigeria, especially in Borno, Zamfara, Adamawa, Yobe and other areas.

  • NGO urges FG to address plight of IDPs

    NGO urges FG to address plight of IDPs

    A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Madinma Foundation, has called on the Federal Government and Nigerians at large to take immediate action to alleviate the plight of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country.

    It also called on Nigerians at large to contribute their quota in ameliorating the humanitarian crisis faced by these vulnerable individuals to ensure their wellbeing.

    The Chief Executive Officer of NGO, Dr. Chidinma Ogwo made the call during a press briefing in Abuja to shed light on the dire conditions faced by IDPs and call for urgent intervention.

    Highlighting the scale of the crisis, Dr. Ogwo said providing adequate support to IDPs regardless of their geographical location would demonstrate Federal Government’s commitment to human rights and social justice.

    She also urged Nigerians to demonstrate compassion and solidarity by supporting IDPs through donations, volunteering, and advocacy.

    Her words, “These individuals have been uprooted from their homes, separated from their families due to conflicts, natural disasters, and other socio-economic challenges and are living in dire conditions. “They often find themselves in overcrowded camps or makeshift settlements, lacking basic necessities such as food, clean water, shelter, and healthcare.

    Many of them have endured extreme trauma and have lost loved ones, struggling to rebuild their lives in unfamiliar and challenging circumstances.”

    The CEO stated further that addressing the needs of IDPs was crucial for national stability and development.”

    Displaced individuals often face a loss of livelihoods, limited access to education, and a lack of economic opportunities and this situation can lead to a cycle of poverty and dependency, hindering overall progress and exacerbating social inequalities.”

    By investing in the welfare of IDPs, the government can help break this cycle and foster inclusive growth, thereby contributing to the nation’s long-term stability and prosperity.”

    The Federal Government should also recognize that the plight of IDPs has far-reaching implications beyond the immediate humanitarian crisis as the presence of large numbers of displaced persons puts a strain on host communities, which may already be grappling with limited resources and infrastructure.

    “Neglecting the needs of IDPs can lead to increased tensions, social unrest, and even further displacement and therefore, by addressing the challenges faced by IDPs, the government can foster social cohesion and prevent the escalation of conflicts,” Dr Ogwo said.

    To alleviate the plights of IDPs, she recommended several key measures to prioritizing the provision of essential services, including food, clean water, healthcare, and shelter.

    “Government and well spirited individuals should establish more vocational training centers for IDPs so as to enable them become self reliant and also contribute to national Development.

    “Moreover, the Government should collaborate with international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other stakeholders to ensure a coordinated and comprehensive response to the IDP crisis,” she said.

    While noting that IDP camps provide temporary refuge only, Dr. Ogwo appealed to the Federal Government to address the underlying causes of displacement and also facilitate the safe and dignified return of IDPs to their communities whenever possible.

  • Our plans for  Benue IDPs, by Fed Govt

    Our plans for  Benue IDPs, by Fed Govt

    The Federal Goverment has restated  it’s commitment to address humanitarian challenges bedeviling Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue State.

    A Federal Commissioner ,  National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Tijani Aliyu Ahmed, gave the assurance during the flag off   of the distribution of relief materials in Ichwa IDPs camp in Makurdi, the state capital .

    Aliyu said that the Federal Government’s ultimate goal  has been to see peace and security restored in Benue and in Nigeria, so that the IDPs can return to their homes and rebuild their lives.

    He said: “The Commission is working hard to strengthen our collaboration with the state government to address the humanitarian challenges and provide durable solutions. The plight of our dear brothers and sisters who have been forced to flee their homes by conflict is a pressing concern.

    “My dear brothers and sisters, I have seen you beaten by rain and scorched by the sun because you live in dilapidated make shift shelters. You have fled your homes and left behind your farm lands and lost your livelihoods. As a Commission, we are not oblivious of the numerous problems  you face.

    “I want to assure you that as the Federal Commissioner of The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and IDPs, we are fully committed to assisting you with relief materials in the short term and livelihood restoration, housing, education for your children and healthcare for all.

    Read Also: Tinubu sets up committee to consider gaps in police legal framework

    “We are working with the state government to provide you with durable solution. As a gesture of our commitment, today, we will distribute some food items, non food items and empowerment materials. I assure you that we will come back to provide you with more support and more sustainable interventions,” he added.

    The federal commissioner noted that while efforts of cushioning the living conditions of IDPs in the camps is ongoing, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu acknowledged that humanitarian aid alone cannot address the underlying problems, adding that the President under the Renewed Hope Agenda is working tirelessly to tackle the challenges of insecurity in the state and facilitate the IDPs return to their ancestral homes.  

    The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr. James Iorpuu, intimated that there were  14,229 people made up of 2403 households in the Ichwa camp.

    Also, the Benue State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Aondowase Kunde, said that the humanitarian crisis in all of 21 IDPs camp in the state with over two million population had been quite overwhelming for the state government alone to handle.

  • Fed govt to resettle IDPs, returnees

    Fed govt to resettle IDPs, returnees

    The Federal Government is working out modalities to resettle returnees and the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria to a safe and better living condition.

    It is also redesigning an action plan for the IDP returnees and farmers to go back to their farms,

    The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, said this when the Representative of United Nations Mines Action Services (UNMAS) visited in his office in Abuja, on Tuesday.

    Matawalle said the Federal Government would provide essential technical support for the establishment of a national mine action centre in the North East and extend it to the North West where incidence of insurgency has increased.

    Read Also: Tinubu calls for synergy within housing agencies

    “Such a center will afford the IDPs the opportunity to return to their communities and have access to quality education,” he said.

    The representative of UNMAS to Nigeria, Edwin Faigmane, said that the UNMAS is to collaborate with the Nigerian Army to secure success for Mines Action Services Operations in Nigeria.

    He said there was the need to conduct technical surveys to identify hazardous areas that need to be safe before any other activities could take place.

    Edwin commended the minister for the audience and requested that they count on the government’s support in identifying areas of collaboration.

  • IDPs: Commission seeks ecological fund to fix road to resettlement camp

    IDPs: Commission seeks ecological fund to fix road to resettlement camp

    The National Commission for Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) has called for the release of ecological funds to enable it to fix the access road to the resettlement camp in Nasarawa state.

    The Federal Commissioner of the Commission, Tijani Ahmed explained that the fund will hasten the relocation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to the various resettlement camps across the country.

    Ahmed said this during an inspection of the resettlement camp in Yar-Kyande community in Keffi, Nasarawa state.

    The camp which has a police station, market, hospital, church, mosque, and school is expected to be handed over to the IDPs in the next three months.

    Speaking after inspecting the project, Ahmed said: “The level of work has gone very far, hopefully in the next two to three months, this camp will be ready for occupation.

    “However, the major challenge we are having is the access road between the town and the camp and that is why the commission is requesting ecological funds because the roads were destroyed as a result of rainfall and flooding from the river nearby.

    “We are asking the government to come to our aid so that we can make this place comfortable for the IDPs.

    “The road network has to be fixed if truly we want people to come and stay here, so releasing our ecological fund will help us in ensuring that most of our ongoing projects are completed”

    Read Also: Govt set to move IDPs to resettlement camps

    Ahmed while expressing optimism about accessing the fund said: “The fund has been approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and we hope in the next few months, we will be able to access it.”

    On the number of IDPs that would be moved, he said: “We have 40 blocks of flats that would be occupied by 40 IDP households upon completion. We have these camps in six Nasarawa, Zamfara, Edo, Katsina, Maiduguri, and Kano and we hope in our next budget to have these camps built in ten more states in the long run, we hope to have them in all the states.”

    On when the IDPs who wish to return to their ancestral homes will be returned, he said: “We are making efforts and we have durable solutions to make sure that those who want to return to their ancestral homes are returned and for those who want to be in the resettlement camps, we are making provision for them.”