Bauchi govt seeks Swiss govt collaboration to address IDP challenges

Bauchi Government has collaborated with the Swiss Government to provide durable solutions to the challenges associated with managing internally displaced persons with the host communities.

The development is in a renewed effort by the State Government to address challenges associated with managing internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities through the State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management.

The proposed partnership will also aim to explore collaborative approaches to address other humanitarian challenges and promote sustainable development.

This was contained in a press statement from the Ministry made available to newsmen on Tuesday stating that these were some of the areas of discussion when the Commissioner, Hajara Yakubu Wanka recently paid an advocacy visit to the Swiss Embassy in Abuja.

During the visit, Hajara Yakubu Wanka informed the Swiss Embassy officials of Governor Bala Mohammed’s administration’s intention to partner with foreign Governments, World bodies, and other International Partners to bring development to communities and the state at large.

She said that Bauchi State, as a gateway to the North Eastern part of Nigeria and considered the safest in the region, has, over the years, witnessed a large influx of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) resulting from insurgency, sectarian crises, and natural disasters from neighboring states.

This, according to the Commissioner, has overstretched most of the State’s social infrastructure, like health and school facilities, WASH services, housing, etc.

The Commissioner was quoted in the statement stating “Under the leadership of Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, Bauchi State Government has witnessed giant strides in providing some of these infrastructures amidst other competing needs of the people.”

“Time without numbers, our Governor has reaffirmed his determination to improve the well-being of vulnerable populations through innovative and sustainable interventions with partners”, stated Hajara Wanka.

Responding, the Swiss Embassy official commended the Bauchi State Government’s proactive efforts and expressed commitment to partnering with the state to foster resilience, social integration, and sustainable livelihoods.

According to the press statement, the advocacy visit marked a significant step towards implementing durable solutions that reflect Bauchi State’s commitment to strategic partnerships for humanitarian and developmental progress.