By Lizzy Okoji
Abuja – The Federal Government through the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) has begun to empower Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Federal Capital Territory, as part of its durable solution programme.
Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, Federal Commissioner, NCFRMI, donated the empowerment machines, educational materials, food and non food relief items to IDPs in various camps in the FCT on Saturday in Abuja.
Farouq said that the durable solution empowerment programme was in line with the commission’s mandate to bring succour to victims of insurgency, to give them a sense of belonging and to restore their lives.
She said that the programme would be carried out across the country, saying that the Commission has already commenced with Kebbi in the North West and it would be extended to other states, especially those hosting IDPs.
“The Commission’s mandate is to give durable solutions to victims of displacement and these empowerment items are part of the durable solution programme of the commission.
“We believe that you cannot sustain giving people food but teach them how to get the food and earn a living.
“School items are also part of durable solutions because when you take a child to school, he learns and becomes something in life.
“We are doing this across the country, we started with Kebbi two weeks ago, we have people that moved from Maiduguri to Kebbi when the insurgency was at its peak.
“Now we are doing the FCT after which we are going to Nassarawa next week then Benue and Taraba States.
“The NCFRMI remains committed to the recovery plans for Persons of Concerned Nigerians as envisioned by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Farouq said that the concern for the provision of durable solutions was to put an end to activities that can temporarily or permanently bring about displacement.
She said that the Commission remains committed to assisting displaced persons return to their habitual residence when it becomes possible and safe, reintergrate them in host communities and resettle them in safer areas.
The Federal Commissioner said that the NCFRMI would continue to ensure that its activities take into consideration the serious protection issues faced by vulnerable groups such as women, children, disabled persons, the elderly and young men.
She said that it would achieve this by offering special psychosocial interventions such as psychotherapy, counseling and improved access to social amenities for Persons of Concern.
Farouq commended the dedication of intervention partners including government and non-governmental agencies and security partners working with local communities to alleviate the suffering of displaced persons and to eliminate the root causes of internal displacement.
She warned the IDPs not to sell the items that are being given to them but to make judicious use of them to improve their lives.
Also Speaking, the FCT Minister, Malam Musa Bello said that the FCT, which was host to thousands of IDPs take the issues of the IDPs very seriously and would continue to more to bring succor to them.
The Minister was represented by Mr Vincent Chachafa, Assistant Director, Relief and rehabilitation, FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Bello said that the donation of the items shows that the IDPs are not alone but they have the support of the government to alleviate their sufferings and to give them durable solution.
He said that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s led administration was doing everything within its powers to tackle the insurgency and to ensure their safe and dignified return to their communities.
Responding on behalf of the IDPs, Mr Philip Emmanuel, Chairman of the Kuchingoro Camp, appreciated the Federal Government for its continuous support which has kept them alive so far.
He promised that they would make judicious use of all items and continue to be law abiding and live peacefully.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the items distributed included grinding engines, sprayer kitts, pesticides, herbicides, food flask and water bottles, bags of rice, beans, groundnut oil, indomine noddles, mosquito nets, pots and other cooking utensils.
Educational materials included school bags, note books, mathematical set, Biro, pencils, markers, sharpners, white board, joint wooden chairs with tables, teacher’s tables and chairs among others.
The items were distributed to IDPs at the Wassa, Durumi and Kuchigoro camps, all in the FCT.. (NAN)