Humanitarian ministry launches IDP policy, reels out achievements

The minister of Humanitarian Affiairs, disaster Management and Social Development Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq on Tuesday launched the National Policy on Internally Displaced Persons (IDP)
The launch took place during the ministry’s maiden humanitarian Open House at Sheraton Hotel Abuja.

The policy which has the blessing of the Federal Government the minister said intends to provide a framework for national responsibility towards prevention and protection of citizens and, in some cases, non-citizens, from incidences of arbitrary and other forms of internal displacement.
According to her the policy is also intended to meet the assistance and protection needs of IDPs during displacement, and ensure their rehabilitation, return, reintegration and relocation after displacement.
“As you are aware, the process of developing and adoption of the policy commenced in 2001, within this period the initial draft of the policy have been reviewed severally to reflect new realities and emerging trends in humanitarian space in Nigeria.

“The policy spells out principles guiding humanitarian assistance and implementation of durable solutions in situations of internal displacement in Nigeria and has adopted the human rights-based approach and its principles.
“It integrated the provisions of existing international conventions, treaties and protocols on internal displacement, guided by the dictates of international humanitarian and human rights laws.” She pointed out that the policy draws extensively on the guidance of international and national frameworks on the prevention of internal displacement, as well as those on protection and assistance of internally displaced persons.

“The Kampala Convention, the UN Guiding Principles on internal displacement and the Sphere Minimum Standards for Humanitarian Assistance have significantly defined the direction of this policy.
“This policy envisions an equitable and stable Nigerian society that is proactive and responsive to situations that could lead to internal displacement, where the right to life of dignity is guaranteed for all internally displaced persons and where adequate measures and durable solutions exist to prevent and mitigate the impact of internal displacement on vulnerable populations.”
The minister charged the National Coordination Technical Working Group and other relevant stakeholders to commence elaboration of implementation plan with clear roles and responsibilities of all actors to ensure efficient and effective implementation of the policy
“The plan should incorporate a monitoring and evaluation strategy which will ensure compliance with policy framework and scope as well as determining the extent of achievement of policy goals and objectives.
“Further to this, permit me to inform you that we have commenced the standalone process of domesticating African Union Kampala convention. “The relevant stakeholders is hereby charged to come up with the draft bill for onward presentation to the FEC and then transmitted to the National Assembly for necessary legislative action.”
Umar Farouq indicated that the maiden edition of the Humanitarian Open House was a strategic communications initiative.
“It is a Strategic Communication initiative that brings together the partners, stakeholders, media private sector, development partners, CSOs/NGOs.
During the event a scorecard of the Ministry’s programmes, projects and interventions was presented.
She said when the ministry was created on the 21st of August 2019 by President Muhammadu Buhari it was for the need to harmonize, synergize, institutionalize as well as provide coordination of all government’s humanitarian and social interventions.
Hence she said the activities of the Ministry impacts directly on the well-being of poor and vulnerable Nigerians and contributes to the socio-economic development of the country.
“Understandably, this has placed the Ministry in a close friendship with the media sector in Nigeria, humanitarian actors, Civil Society Organizations (CSO’s), collaborating Ministries Departments and Agencies.
“In order for the Ministry to effectively provide the much needed and desired coordination and leadership it must have a means of effectively and consistently communicating its progress, challenges and engaging partners with and engaging partners, stakeholders and the public.
“It is against this background that the Humanitarian Open House is being hosted with the theme ‘Coordinating for Durable Humanitarian Solutions; the Journey so far.
’The Theme has been carefully chosen to allow the Ministry speak on its coordinating efforts, activities and achievements as well as milestones being attained, results being delivered and more importantly the impact the Ministry and indeed government is making in the lives of Nigerians.”

The minister later presented the Ministry’s Information Brochure and the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) Information brochure to the public.

The brochure is an information book containing all information on the Ministry, its Departments, Programmes and Agencies. In the same vein, a pictorial Compedium chronicling the programmes, activities and achievements of the Ministry was also unveiled while the Minister took the guests on a tour of the Humanitarian Pavilions.

Goodwill messages were delivered by the Speaker, Nigeria’s House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila, who was represented by Hon Muhammad Jega, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Bashir Nura Alkali who was represented by Director Humanitarian Affairs, Alhaji Ali Grema and the UN Resident Coordinator Matthias Schmale who pledged continued support to the Ministry in areas concerning IDPs.

Other dignitaries in attendance were Heads of Agencies under the Ministry, CSOs/NGOs, Heads of NSIP Clusters, Directors in the ministry, Strategic Partners, Editors and Humanitarian Affairs correspondents.