…’2.9 million IDPs in North-East, 684 IDPs in Cameroon, Chad, Niger’
A Non Governmental Organisation, Mukosolu Chinwike- Okereke African Migration Advocacy Project (MUKOCAMAP), has raised the alarm over the refugees status in Nigeria, saying that the country is grappling with a complex humanitarian emergency with over 3.2 million Nigerians displaced as a result of the Boko Haram conflict in the North-East since 2014.
The NGO, an initiative of African Law Foundation (AFRILAW),also called on governments and well spirited individuals for medications and psychological support to the Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs).
The National Coordinator of MUKOCAMAP, Mr Okereke Chinwike, disclosed this on Monday during World Refugee Day 2021 CSOs/Media Roundtable.
Theideal reports that the theme for this year’s World Refugee Day celebration is titled: “Together We Heal, Learn and Shine”.
Speaking on the alarming rate and plight of refugees, Chinwike said, “Over 3.2 million people are displaced, including over 2.9 millions are in IDPs in North East, 684, 000 in Cameroon, Chad and Niger IDPs, and 304, 000 refugees in the four countries, which are part of the Lake Chad Basin region, leading to complex humanitarian emergency.
“The world can’t overcome COVID-19 if it overlooks refugees. We need to ensure that people forced to flee have access to vaccines, care, medicine and psychological support, like everyone else “.
He noted that this year’s theme focuses on power of inclusion, adding that there is greater call for greater inclusion of refugees in health systems, schools and sport.
Chinwike said: ” Particularly, refugees in Nigeria is about 71,365, asylum Seekers 1,634 and IDPs 2,880,168 which comprises 2,184,254 IDPs from the North-East and 695,914 IDPs from the North-West/North-Central.
“The crisis has been exacerbated by conflict-induced food insecurity and severe malnutrition, which have risen to critical levels in all four countries.
“Despite the efforts of Governments and humanitarian aid, some 12.5 million people remain in need of humanitarian assistance in the Lake Chad Basin region, with 3.5 million people remaining food insecure”.
Chinwike further disclosed that MUKOCAMAP is a regional advocacy initiative of AFRILAW, created in honour of his late wife, who died in March 10, 2020 as the Principal Inspector of Immigration of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), to advocate and promote dignified, safe and orderly migration including Refugees, Asylum Seekers and IDPs.
He however, called for concerted efforts of government, civil society groups and individuals to proffer solution solution that will end the insecurity as well as mobilize donation of food and other resources in support of the refugees and internationally displaced persons.
Speaking at the event, Chairperson, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Enugu State Chapter, Barrister Sylvia Abanah, applauded the AFRILAW for the humanitarian campaign.
She noted that issues that leads to refugees, which can be found in any society, are situations where the human rights of people are violated, war and civil strife.
Abanah said, “Due to the emergency nature of their leaving their abode or homes, they leave with little of nothing running for dear life and they need our support”.
The roundtable was attended by 15 Civil society groups, media personnel drawn from both the print, Electronic and new media.
