United Nations (UN) Resident Co-ordinator, Nigeria, Matthias Schmale, has called for lasting solutions to resettle refugees and help them rebuild their lives.
He gave the charge at an event to mark 2023 World Refugee Day tagged, “Hope Away from Home: A World where Refugees are Always Included,” organised by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally-Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), yesterday, in Abuja.
Schmale noted that over 100 million individuals had been forced to flee their homes owing to crisis and some other forms of disasters, a situation leading to their refugee status.
“This day reminds us of our duty to protect and support refugees and such support includes solutions to resettle refugees and help them rebuild their lives in dignity.
“I had the opportunity to visit Cameroun refugees in Cross River State, as well as Benue, and was impressed by the support of the Nigerian authorities. It was also motivating to see the great support of UNHCR colleagues,” he said.
In the same vein, Federal Commissioner, NCFRMI, Imaan Slaiman-Ibrahim, said the event is to create the indomitable spirit and resilience of refugees worldwide.
Slaiman-Ibrahim said: “On this important day, let us pause to acknowledge the immense challenges faced by those forced to flee their homes leaving behind everything they once knew. Let us stand together not only in solidarity but also in our wilful determination to foster a world where refugees are not merely survivors but cherished members of our global communities.
“Today serves as a reminder that no one chooses to be a refugee but circumstances beyond control forces them to leave everything behind; their homes, loved ones and familiar surroundings.”
The high commissioner said the agency had begun the process of reviewing the national migration policy with a view of ensuring its effectiveness.
Also, Director, Humanitarian and Social Affairs of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Dr. Sintiki Ugbe, said all hands must be on deck to find durable solution to the refugee crisis in the region.
He stressed the need for a more robust humanitarian policy as well as the establishment of sister-management agencies across the region on the issue.
Representative of the UNHCR, Chansa Kapaya, said the making of the yearly event draws attention to the plight of refugees and the need to help them rebuild their lives.
She said: “We need to help refugees build their lives and enable them to contribute to the local economy. Refugees far from home should still have hope and must carry on with their lives.
“Incorporate refugees into the national social register to enable them to contribute to the shared prosperity…”
