The UNHCR, UN Refugee Agency on Tuesday inaugurated 454 houses for 2,700 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Labondo Community of Girei Local Government Area, Adamawa.
Speaking at the inauguration, Ms Chansa Kapaya, the UNHCR country representative, Nigeria, said the displacement challenges in Nigeria are significant, with millions affected and in need of assistance.
She said the Labondo pilot project was a collaborative effort with the Adamawa Government, Girei District Council and the UNHCR sharing the commitment to find sustainable solutions for displaced families.
Kapaya added that the partners also took into consideration the needs of the host communities.
“The Labondo project, with its emphasis on community empowerment, sustainable housing, and socio-economic development, aligns seamlessly with the secretary-general’s Agenda for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
“It vividly demonstrates the transformative potential of collective action.
“This project is not just about immediate relief, but ensuring a sustainable impact that can be replicated and scaled in other displacement contexts for the families that began to move into the settlement two weeks ago.
“It represents a move from dependence to self-sufficiency,” she said.
According to her, to achieve this self-sufficiency, there is the need for enhanced school infrastructure, improved market facilities, upgraded health posts with better equipment.
She added that, among other facilities, environmental strategies like tree planting was also needed to mitigate against windstorms.
Kapaya acknowledged and expressed her gratitude to the Central Emergency Response Fund, the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund, saying that they had partnered with the UNHCR to provide the initial funding for the pilot project.
In his remarks, Gov Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, expressed his gratitude to the UNHCR and other partners for the project.
Fintiri promised to contribute his own part for the development of the settlement by deploying more healthcare workers and school teachers there.
He also promised to connect the community to the national grid.
He charged the IDPs to love one another for peaceful coexistence and development in the area, and to imbibe the culture of good maintenance.
Alhaji Muhammad Mustapha, the Lamido of Adamawa, expressed his gratitude to the UNHCR and Adamawa Government for the project.
The traditional ruler, who was represented by Dr Ahmed Mustapha Uban-Doman, urged them to ensure peaceful coexistence, keep their environment clean and to plant more trees.
Earlier in her remarks, Binta Ali, the IDPs State Women Leader, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, appreciated the efforts of all the partners for the project.
She solicited for the immediate deployment of health workers, provisions of quality healthcare service delivery and electricity for the settlement.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution.
It leads international action to protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people.
