President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development for providing life saving assistance to displaced populations in the North-East region.
The president made the commendation in an address to mark the 2022 World Humanitarian Day organised by the ministry, on Thursday in Maiduguri.
He said the ministry aided the development of humanitarian policies and provided effective coordination of national and international humanitarian interventions since inception in 2019.
While noting that the people in the region had suffered from the insurgency, the president said the establishment of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC), to among others stimulate support services and developed a master plan for the region.
“The plan known as the North East Stabilisation and Development Master Plan will contain programmes and skills that promote and facilitate physical and socio-economic development of the region as well as produce a comprehensive implementation plan..
“I am glad to hear from the supervisory minister that the north master plan has been finalised after consultations with all stakeholders,” he said.
He also commended the state governments in the region for complimenting the Federal Government’s efforts in ensuring the return and rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees.
The president reiterated commitment to address humanitarian issues in collaboration with development partners, especially towards improving the resilience of vulnerable populations.
“For the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and its agencies, I urged you to pay particular attention on emerging issues as we seek to return and rehabilitate our people.
“The emerging issues include increasing number of orphans and widows,” he said.
The president also lauded the military and other security agencies for thier commitment in the fight against insurgency, and urged them not to relent in ensuring that the insurgents were completely eliminated.
He also tasked the military to ensure adequate security for farmers, adding that agricultural activities are needed for resettlement and development of rural areas.
Gov. Babagana Zulum thanked Buhari for his commitment to end insurgency and peace restoration in the state.
He also commended security agencies, international community and development partners for thier support to the state, adding that the sustain improvement in security had led to the closure of all IDPs camps in Maiduguri.
The governor called for more support to the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RRR) programme of the state government.
Also, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Hajiya Sadiya Umar-Farouq, said the World Humanitarian Day aimed at advocating peace and stability at home and abroad.
Umar-Farouq said the celebration to mark the day in Maiduguri was to show solidarity to people of the state who suffered the brunt of decade-long insurgency.
“This year’s theme is “IT TAKES A VILLAGE”. It truly takes a village to provide emergency relief, protection and assistance, to build peace and resilience of affected communities.
“Mr President, permit me to acknowledge the presence of members of the humanitarian community here with us for their commitment of service to humanity,” she said.
She said statistics of the Aid Worker Security Database from 2016 indicated that 35 aid workers lost their lives, 22 wounded and 28 kidnapped, adding that six others had been kidnapped in 2022.
“We respect the memory of those who died while performing service. I would like to use this opportunity to recognise all the humanitarian workers who have been killed, injured or kidnapped in the line of duty.
“I have instructed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) and the North East Development Commission (NEDC) to stockpile food and non-food items in order to mitigate food insecurity,” she said. (NAN)
