Bama
By Taiye Elebiyo-Edeni
Abuja, April 10, 2018(NAN) The Nigeria INGO Forum, an International Non-governmental Organisation, has expressed concerns over the inability to meet the humanitarian needs of civilians relocated to Bama.
Mrs Jennifer Jalovec, Country Director of the INGO Forum stated this in a statement signed by Mr Moshood Raimi, Information Management Officer of the forum on Tuesday in Abuja.
Jalovec was quoted as saying that this may occur as a result of the relocation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) civilians currently being carried out by the Nigerian authorities.
She recalled that the Borno State Government had recently announced the relocation of 120,000 civilians from Maiduguri to Bama.
The Borno government also indicated that approximately 3,700 people have arrived there on government-organised transport as at April 2.
According to her, members of the INGO Forum, who work in Maiduguri and Bama, have raised concerns that currently there are insufficient services and supplies including food, water, and health services, among others in Bama.
“So, this will not be able to meet the basic humanitarian needs of the thousands of people that the government says will be relocated there from Maiduguri.
“If the Nigerian authorities are not ready to provide the basic services necessary to meet all of these people’s needs.
“Then, we are very concerned about the situation in which civilians in Bama will find themselves, including the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
“They are already present in a camp in Bama and who cannot yet return to their homes in nearby villages, ‘’she said.
Jalovec added that the forum was also worried that any sudden demand for more aid to Bama would be impossible to meet.
She said that this was without having to shift the ongoing humanitarian aid from other locations where there are severe humanitarian needs.
The Country Director noted that the Kampala Convention of which Nigeria was a signatory stated that state parties must guarantee the freedom of movement and choice of residence of IDPs.
She said that this would enable them to make a free and informed choice on whether to return.
Jalovec also added that based on the convention, States must take measures to ensure that they live in conditions of safety, dignity and security, and are protected from forcible return or resettlement.
“The International NGOs are keenly aware that many IDPs wish to return home, and we remain ready to take part in the planning led by the government.
“That is how those returnees can be managed with dignity and with the appropriate conditions in place,” she said. (NAN)
TY/JAN/AFA
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Edited by Joan Nwagwu/Felix Ajide