The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, on Thursday, unveiled plans for the domestication of the Kampala Convention on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Africa through stand-alone legislation.
The Minister who disclosed this while declaring open the two-day Management Retreat, 2022 (maiden edition), with the theme: ‘Strenghtening social inclusion for improved living standards of Nigerians’, affirmed that about 7.1 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in the North East region alone while a total of about 1.8 million people are internally displaced as a result of disasters, conflicts, insurgencies and terrorism.
She said: “Humanitarian sector designed to brainstorm on ways of improving the actualisation of the mandate of the Ministry. It is also a period of stock-taking and winding down to understudy the level of implementation and impact of the various programmes of the Ministry including the National Social Investment Programmes (NSIPs).
“It is remarkable to state that since after the establishment of the Ministry in 2019 it has not deviated from its vision to create sustainable and inclusive social systems that promote human dignity in Nigeria. It is worthy of note that natural disasters and man-made crises across the country have adversely impacted the lives and the well-being of many Nigerians.
“The effect of these disasters deprived millions of vulnerable and poor people of basic human needs which results in worsening humanitarian crises. It is estimated that about 7.1 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in the North East region alone while a total of about 1.8 million people are internally displaced as a result of disasters, conflicts, insurgencies and terrorism.
“Climate change is also a factor that contributes to the humanitarian situation, worsening flood and drought that depletes arable land resources in the country. In addressing this situation, the Ministry has developed policies and plans that positively impact the victims of these crises and alleviate their conditions in line with the vision and commitment of President Muhammed Buhari’s administration.
“Let me dwell briefly on one of the key points which have to do with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). The National Policy on IDPs is an instrument that guides stakeholders on managing the affairs of the affected individuals and this policy was approved by the Federal Executive Council in 2021.
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“This policy also incorporates the provisions of the Kampala Convention on IDPs in Africa. We are currently in the process of domesticating the convention through stand-alone legislation. During the recent celebration of World Humanitarian day in Maiduguri Borno State, President Muhammad Buhari directed the Ministry and its Agencies to come up with specific programmes to address urgent threats posed by explosive remnants in the North East region as well as ensure unimpeded return of IDPs to their ancestral homes in the region.
“The National Social Investment Program (NSIP) is a flagship initiative of the present administration is designed to tackle the issues of poverty, unemployment and other vulnerabilities which are implemented across the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, they include Job Creation Unit (N-Power); National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP); Government Enterprises and Empowerment Programme (GEEP); Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) and Independent Monitors. Through the N-Power programme, Government has empowered over 1 million Nigerian Youth from 2015 to date.
“These comprises of graduates and non-graduates especially the vulnerable ones. A myriad of programmes are also being carried out to empower various categories of N-power beneficiaries with life-sustaining skills such as N-Health, N-Agro, and N-Teach components while the non-graduate programmes include training in N-Tech for software and hardware development, N-Creative and N-Build. N-Power is one out of the many success stories of NSIPs.”
The Minister also commended the leadership of our various Agencies, Departments and Units which have worked tirelessly to ensure that the poor and vulnerable members of the society are given a sustainable sense of belonging in the country.
On his part, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Nasir Sani-Gwarzo noted the mandates given to the Ministry is large, the Sani-Gwarzo applauded President Buhari’s response to the high level of humanitarian challenges facing the country through the establishment of the Ministry since 2019.
According to him, the Ministry over the past three years of existence “notwithstanding the devastating impact of COVID-19 pandemic that lasted for almost one year, concluded policies include: National Policy on Ageing; National Migration Policy; National Disability Policy; National Policy on Internally Displaced Persons and National Disaster Risk Management Policy; while the ongoing policies are; the National Social Protection Policy, Cash and Voucher Assistance Policy.
“These policies are meant to serve as instruments that guide the implementation of the various programmes and projects of the Ministry.
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