The Federal Government of Nigeria has joined the United Nations and other world leaders to commit to tangible pledges ranging from financial and material contributions, technical and policy support as well as working together in solidarity to find lasting solutions for the millions of refugees around the world forced to flee from their original places of abode.
Nigeria’s Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu gave the commitment when she joined the UN agencies, humanitarian and development organizations, NGOs, refugee-led organizations and faith-based groups at the Global Refugee Forum in Palexpo Geneva, Switzerland to brainstorm on global migration, refugee problems and durable solutions.
Presenting Nigeria’s position at the gathering, the Minister said Nigeria has a deep understanding of the daunting challenges refugees endure.
“As a nation, we have opened our hearts and borders, offering international protection to those in dire need.
“Consequently, the Federal Government has made pledges: To include refugees, IDPs, returnees and their host communities in National development plans, to strengthen its protection capacity, to ensure the availability and access to durable solutions for refugees and IDPs and to continue playing active and constructive roles in regional and sub-regional efforts to address the root causes of displacement.
“Nigeria is presently hosting and providing international protection for about 100,000 refugees in addition to over 8,500,000 IDPs”, Dr Edu said…….
The 2023 Forum was co-convened by five states – Colombia, France, Japan, Jordan, and Uganda – and co-hosted by the Government of Switzerland and UNHCR.
