Ayade seeks more UN support as Cameroonian refugees take toll on Cross River

Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, has made a case for more United Nations support for Cross River State, where over 60,000 Cameroonians are taking refuge from the war in the neighbouring country.

Speaking at the open field of the Governor’s office, Calabar, yesterday, while receiving a donation of vehicles and vaccine carriers from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office in the state, Ayade said hosting refugees was one big challenge the state had to shoulder for the sake of humanity.

He said: “When the Cameroonian conflict started and there was need for us to provide a location for refugees, it was a big challenge because we knew that it comes with consequences, especially the sociological implication of having people who have been completely dislocated from their communities settle in squalor, raising children in such conditions and then becoming a source of challenge.

However, humanity is humanity irrespective of colour, race or creed.”

While expressing gratitude to the UNCHR for recognising the state’s contribution, he said: “We want to quickly mention that we also need your support in the food supply chain for the refugees. The population of refugees keeps growing. The children of yesterday are today’s adults and the recreation continues, and it also comes with the problem of food sufficiency”

He disclosed that Cross River State has invested heavily on the food chain and appealed to the UNCHR to look the way of Cross River in sourcing for food for the refugees while expressing optimism that a time would come when they will return to their home country.

Responding, the Sub Head of UNHCR office in Ogoja, Northern Cross River, Tsefaye Bekele, commended Ayade for the support Cross River has rendered the refugees saying, “I’am very much honoured and privileged to present this token of ambulance, vehicle and vaccine carriers to the Cross River State government for catering to the needs of the Cameroonian refugees in Ogoja.