Nigeria is one of the first countries to set aside a date to celebrate the Internally Displaced Persons(IDP). The National IDP day is celebrated to mark the adoption of the groundbreaking (Kampala Convention) for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Africa.
To be sure, this is the first legally binding Regional instrument in the world that imposes on states the obligation to protect and assist IDPs, the day is therefore marked to bring to the fore the unwavering resilience and determination of Internally Displaced persons in Nigeria and the Resolve of the Federal Government of Nigeria at ensuring total rehabilitation reintegration and resettlement.
Regrettably, for a country not yet officially at war, the number of internally displaced persons in the country is alarming. As of July 2022, the Boko Haram conflict had displaced about 2.2 million people in the Northeast, the vast majority–over 1.8 million—in Borno State. The conflict also displaced over 280,000 refugees from the Northeast into three neighboring countries—Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.
Also, because of the activities of bandits in the northwest and parts of the north-central, the UN migration agency IOM figures show northwest and central had 728,000 displaced people in 2020. That number rose to 980,000 last year. This is sad.
As Nigerians are still coming to grasp the number of displaced persons due to insecurity, ravaging floods in some parts of the country which have resulted in deaths, and destruction of farmlands and infrastructure have added to the number of displaced persons in Nigeria.
The natural disaster has recorded about 40 percent increase in the figure of internally displaced persons (IDPs), bringing the number of IDPs to about 5 million from 3.4 million as contained in the 2021 Displacement Tracking Matrix carried out by (UNHCR) Matrix Index as well as the International Organization of Migration (IOM).
Federal commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Imaan Ibrahim, disclosed the increasing effect of climate change and particularly the debilitating effect of floods across the country, has led to significant loss of many lives, properties, and livelihood.
She spoke at an event marking the National Day for Displaced Persons (IDPs) with the theme: “Journey so far, future of durable solutions,” at the presidential villa, Abuja.
She also drew the attention of Nigerians to the distressing situation that has led to the significant loss of many lives, properties, and livelihoods. The commissioner expresses empathy to the millions of Nigerians affected by the impact of climate change particularly the recent flooding incidence across the federation.
She urged everyone affected to remain resolute and confident in the abilities demonstrated by this government in the provision of care, assistance, and durable solutions to all Persons of Concern.
According to her “it is pertinent to note that the federal government of Nigeria, under the able leadership of president Muhammad Buhari GCFR, is committed to achieving compressive, sustainable and the highest form of durable solutions for IDPs.
“This has been demonstrated by efforts and strategies of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social development through the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons in building resilience, tailored fit programs and interventions aimed at rehabilitating resettling and reintegrating all Persons of Concern, especially the IDPs.
“The Commission is therefore committed to facilitating access to social services and amenities in Host Communities, Camps, and Settlements in collaboration with all stakeholders by emplacing frameworks that boost their level of availability and accessibility.
“Further to this, we are analyzing our programs in the areas of assisted voluntary return and reintegration of stranded Nigerians from Libya and other countries with support from the IOM, in this regard, I am pleased to inform you that thousands have successfully returned, and received various reintegration assistance. Also, the Commission’s various Project Drivers have been developed to boost economic prosperity and national security.
“The Commission has also developed and implemented a protection-based framework for asylum seekers and Refugees in Nigeria. Accordingly, through the tripartite agreements between Nigeria, Cameroun, and UNHCR, the planned voluntary repatriation of Nigerian Refugees in a safe and Orderly manner has reached an advanced stage. Plans are ongoing to emplace a similar framework to the voluntary return of refugees in Chad and Niger.
“To further demonstrate the government commitment, the Commission’s Exit Camp Strategy, the National IDPs Policy, the implementation plan of the IDP Policy, the national action on durable solutions, and domestication of the Kampala Convention will support our drive towards the provision of a durable solution, while building resilience in our host communities as well as ensuring all Persons of Concern to develops better coping mechanism.
“Therefore, it is envisaged that at the end of this colloquium we will showcase the Journey so far, generate goodwill and trigger the interest of stakeholders in the Humanitarian and Development sphere towards achieving a whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach to giving Persons of Concern a hand up and ensuring we increase their deserve level
“On this note, please Join me in applauding the consistent efforts of Mr. President at ensuring a coordinated approach towards social inclusion to combat the effects of Poverty and for strengthening the nation’s existing social safety net initiative for the vulnerable especially our Persons of Concern
Speaking on the Commission’s Exit Camp Strategy, she said the implementation plan of the IDP Policy, the national action on durable solutions, and domestication of the Kampala Convention will support the drive towards the provision of durable solutions.
She stated: “You know that kind of problem we address is something reoccurring, hence the need for that coordinated approach. But what I will like to assure you is the commitment of the federal government to ensure that we work hand in hand with the POCs so that we can address all the issues of concern and so that we can ensure their total rehabilitation, integration, and resettlement. It is a work in progress, but we have a grip on the situation.”
On his part, President Muhammadu Buhari assured that this administration remains fully committed to the welfare and well-being of all Nigerians at all times, even as the number of displaced persons in the country has risen to about five million.
The president reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to helping all internally displaced persons by offering long-lasting solutions that guarantee their rehabilitation, reintegration, and resettlement into society.
Represented by his chief of staff, Ibrahim Gambari, the president, commended the resilience of the IDPs, recalling that it was the increasing incidence of forced displacement resulting from ethnic, religious, economic, and boundary conflicts, natural and man-made disasters, and its attendant massive destruction to lives and property that compelled the federal government to embark on a search for durable solutions through the drafting and signing of a National Policy on Internally Displaced Persons by FEC in 2021.
He said the event was to raise awareness of the plight of IDPs in Nigeria by recognizing their courage and resilience while ensuring their participation in society and relevant decisions that affect them and promote their empowerment.
Buhari noted that this year’s celebration offered the opportunity as a nation to publicly and symbolically demonstrate solidarity with those who lost their livelihoods, homes, and even their loved ones to displacement.
Also, the minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouk, on her part regretted the devastating effects of the flood, saying: “It is a sad global phenomenon as a result of Climate change, which has also doubled the number of displaced persons Nationwide and globally.
She said, “I want to reassure all Nigerians that the Federal Government is prepared to do everything possible to mitigate the impact of this natural disaster while providing succor to ensure that our citizens can rebuild their lives.”
Currently, the minister said various Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government have made provision for services such as educations, health, WASH, identification in the interest of Refugees, IDPs and returnees.
“Promotion of self-reliance for the refugees and such other persons of concern is one of my Ministry’s key objectives as we strive to take them out of the humanitarian – hands out zone to becoming sel-reliant members of the society.
“Apart from the foregoing, in 2021, the Federal Executive Council approved the National Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) – 2021-2025. This all-important document incorporates budgetary provisions for projects and programmes that will positively affect the lives of refugees, asylum seekers, IDPs, and stateless persons.
“Efforts are on-going on the domestication of the Kampala Convention, which is long overdue. This would further entrench the appropriate legal and regulatory infrastructure for the protection of refugees and IDPs as well as the promotion of their welfare in Nigeria,” she added.
