March 23, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government has launched the National Policy on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the country.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, launched the policy at an open house event in Abuja, Nigeria.
The policy, which was approved by the Federal Executive Council on the 1st of September, 2021, was to strengthen institutional mechanisms and frameworks for the realisation of the rights, dignity and well-being of the vulnerable population as well as address the root causes of internal displacement, mitigation of the impact and achievement of durable solutions in Nigeria.
Farouq said new realities and emerging trends in the humanitarian space in Nigeria were taken into cognisance before developing and adopting the policy.
“This policy aims to provide a framework for national responsibility towards prevention and protection of citizens and, in some cases, non-citizens, from incidences of arbitrary and other forms of internal displacement, meet their assistance and protection needs during displacement, and ensure their rehabilitation, return, reintegration and relocation after displacement. The policy spells out principles guiding humanitarian assistance and implementation of durable solutions in situations of internal displacement in Nigeria, and has adopted the human rights-based approach and its principles”, she explained
The Minister also assured Nigerians that plans were ongoing to domesticate the African Union Kampala Convention.
“I wish to formally announce that we have commenced the stand alone process of domesticating the African Union Kampala Convention.
“The relevant stakeholders are hereby charged to come up with the draft bill for onward presentation to the FEC for approval and subsequent transmission to the National Assembly for necessary legislative action”, said Farouq.
A National Coordination Working Committee was also set up by the Minister to immediately commence implementation plans with clear roles and responsibilities of all actors including monitoring and evaluation strategy.
The launch of the Humanitarian Open House was aimed at showcasing Programmes, activities and interventions of the Ministry in the last two and half years.
For her part, the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, said the event was a remarkable and historic one in the humanitarian space in Nigeria.
“It’s a primary mandate and obligation of relevant national authorities to ensure the protection and assistance of IDPs and other vulnerable people. Hence, the endorsement of this IDPs policy by the Federal Government is a demonstration of the political will to provide a durable solution and mitigating the plight of all IDPs”, said Suleiman-Ibrahim.
The Refugee Commissioner said the policy launch has provided a platform for enhancing awareness that will enhance common understanding of the objectives and Cardinal trust of the IDPs policy document amongst key stakeholders.
She noted that the IDPs policy will also bring stakeholders together to ensure proper coordination in carrying out responsibilities.
“The policy helps everyone to know their roles and takes ownership of it from the National, state to the local government levels and all segments of the society”, said Suleiman-Ibrahim.
She further noted that the Commission and its partners have put all the structures in place to ensure the safe return of IDPs to their homes.
UN Resident Coordinator, Matthias Schmale, pledged continued support to the Ministry in areas concerning IDPs.
The theme for the Open House event was ”Coordinating for Durable Humanitarian Solutions; the Journey so far.”
