Commission boss assures intensified efforts in rehabilitating, empowering IDPs
NAN-H-78
Rehabilitation
By Lizzy Agbaji
Abuja, Oct. 5, 2016 (NAN) Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, the new Federal High Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced persons (NCFRMI), says efforts at rehabilitating and empowering IDPs will be intensified across the country.
Farouq made this known on assuming duty at the commission on Wednesday in Abuja.
She said that her work in the commission would be anchored on “Operation Bring Home’’ project, which aims at ensuring the safe return of IDPs and returnees to their communities as well as rehabilitating and empowering them.
According to her, the operation will be all inclusive, addressing the plight of victims of insurgency, flood, attacks by herdsmen and all other forms of disasters.
She further said that the commission would achieve this by strengthening its collaboration and partnership with international organisations, states, and local governments.
“ Operation Bring Home (OBH) is my cardinal objective; though I would not neglect the core mandate of this noble commission which includes bringing succour to victims of displacement.
“Now that President Muhammad Buhari has regained lost grounds and degraded the Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East, it is time to rebuild affected communities and rehabilitate victims.
“OBH would not only focus on the insurgency-affected states in the North-East but would include Benue, Ekiti, Enugu and Zamfara, among others.
“We know that IDPs are not only subjected to undue hunger and homelessness but also dehumanised.
“We must put our hands on deck to provide them food, shelter and hope for a better life.’’
She said that to kick-start the programme, the commission would carry out a comprehensive survey to identify and profile real IDPS, to enable it to evolve a comprehensive action plan.
The Federal High Commissioner emphasised that her administration would go beyond giving relief materials to train IDPs and returnees in various vocations and provide them with starter packs to empower them to be independent.
Farouq solicited maximum support from members of staff for effective service delivery.
She also called appealed to international organisations, NGOs and kind-hearted Nigerians to support the commission. (NAN)
LIZ/COO/NKO
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(Edited by Cecilia Odey/Nkechi Okoronkwo)