Lagos – The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) on Friday urged religious groups, charitable and voluntary organisations to come to the aid of refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the county.
Hajiah Sadiya Umar-Farouq, a Federal Commissioner in the commission, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of a Town Hall Meeting with Refugees, IDPs and other persons of concern in Lagos.
Umar-Farouq said the commission harboured not fewer than 1000 refugees in Lagos and more than two million IDPs in host communities and camps cross the country.
She said the major challenge of the commission was inadequate funding as government alone could not meet the needs of vulnerable people.
”Since I assumed office three months ago, I have been visiting our camps around the country to listen first hand to their experiences as refugees and IDPs to have a clearer picture of the challenges they face as a result of displacement.
”This information would enable the Federal Government, through the commission to assess the effectiveness of the service thus far with a view of argumenting the current efforts.
”As well as identity new measures and techniques to be adopted in providing protection and welfare for persons of concern.