Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri, September 8, 2019
The North East Development Commission (NEDC); has commenced the assessment of humanitarian needs of 2.7 million displaced persons in camps and host communities for return to liberated communities. This was disclosed Friday by Managing Director of Commission, Alhaji Mohammed Alkali, while inspecting various IDP camps in Maiduguri metropolis and Monguno in Borno state. The commission was inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari last May; to “intervene and develop” the decade long region affected by Boko Haram insurgency.
He said the commission, is to mainly reconstruct, rehabilitate and develop (RRD) the insurgency affected states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe. During the insurgency many lives and property, were destroyed with the fleeing of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to Maiduguri for safety and shelters. His words: “We’re here to assess firsthand what is happening in IDPs’ camps and other communities across the state. “Whenever you’re building home, you must have a strong foundation.
To have a solid foundation to provide the requisite for RRD, you take care of the current humanitarian situations on ground,” warning that; “What you’re going to build on could not survive.” Speaking on camps assessment, Alkali said: “We‘re here to feel and assess the kind of issues the people are facing here. This will enable the commission provide the right solution in meeting IDPs’ requirements. He said thereafter, the commission will sit down and analyze the IDPs humanitarian needs, including their return to liberated communities. According to him, this will enable the people go back to normal life. “As I stand before the over 11,000 IDPs, I feel the pains the people are going through for a decade,” he lamented. He wished that everybody will return home, where he or she belongs to and not be in camps.
He further disclosed that the commission will make all efforts with government, development partners and stakeholders to provide solutions within shortest period. On adopted strategies, he said: “It is good to know and plan, before strategizing to achieve the commission’s goals on RRD.” He said that after assessing the state of IDPs in camps; and come out with a very comprehensive strategy of returning people to their communities within the shortest period. On the challenges of commission, Chairperson of State’s Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Hajiya Yabawa Kolo said: “With this needs assessment of commission, there are also the challenges of hunger and shelter in camps and host communities.” She said the agency has a special department, known as; “Special Humanitarian Department” dedicated to the current issues of humanitarian challenges facing Borno state.” According to her, even though the commission is for northeast, Borno bears the brunt of Boko Haram insurgency for prompt response, including Adamawa and Yobe states.
“The commission’s headquarters is located in Maiduguri; and now fully operational here to bring the support and assistance soon to our IDPs.” She said that after commission met immediate needs of people, its work be more of development projects and programmes. She said with presence of commission, to inject resources into IDPs projects, it will ginger activities of SEMA.
