THE National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) has reported that more than 6.1 million Nigerians have been forced to leave their homes due to insecurity and natural disasters.
The Federal Commissioner of NCFRMI, Alhaji Tijjani Aliyu, during a visit to Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State, revealed that the commission had initially registered around 3 million displaced individuals by 2022.
However, due to events like floods and other natural calamities, the number has now doubled.
Aliyu emphasized the need to provide sustainable solutions for the displaced population, stating that it is not feasible for the government to solely support all those affected.
He proposed equipping them with vocational skills and trades to enable self-sufficiency in the long run.
The commission also plans to establish three well-equipped skills acquisition centers in the Northeast using the 2024/2025 budget.
During the visit, food items were distributed to approximately 700 displaced individuals in the state.
Efforts have been made by the commission to ensure the dignity and welfare of the displaced persons, including providing educational support for their children and training programs for the adults.
Additionally, infrastructure such as solar-powered boreholes and settlement cities have been set up in IDP camps.
The NCFRMI aims to enroll the IDPs in a health insurance scheme to address their healthcare needs.
Governor Radda commended the commission’s initiatives, highlighting the joint responsibility of the state and federal governments in caring for the IDPs.
Despite security challenges in the state, the governor noted improvements with the establishment of the Katsina Security Watch Corps.
He called for increased collaboration with neighboring states to enhance security measures particularly in eight local government councils.
The distribution of food items to the IDPs was officially launched by the federal commissioner and other officials as part of their ongoing support efforts.
