Thursday, August 15, 2024 –Vice-President Kashim Shettima says Nigeria will continue to shelter Africans displaced by conflict and natural disasters.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, August 14
after receiving a delegation from the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees (UNHCR) at the State House, Shettima assured the delegation that the
President Bola Tinubu administration would fully support initiatives designed
to alleviate the suffering of displaced persons within Africa.
“I know how vital the UN system is. You
have assisted us tremendously in addressing our challenges in the north-east
and the nation as a whole,” the vice-president said.
“For
Nigeria, we will continue to accommodate our brother Africans displaced by
conflict and natural disasters. I want to assure you that our partnership with
the UN family will only be strengthened.
“We are open to new ideas for
collaboration, especially the UN’s emphasis on sustainable resettlement of
refugees.
“By embracing sustainable pathways in
resettling people, we can avoid donor fatigue.”
Raouf Mazou, the UNHCR assistant high
commissioner for operations, commended Nigeria’s treatment of refugees, adding
that the agency is working to transition towards sustainable development
strategies.
“The World
Bank has a facility for refugees and host communities, and we would be
accessing these facilities to see how we can bring additional support primarily
to help the host communities,” Mazou said.
“We
are now focusing on a shift primarily from providing humanitarian assistance to
development. We are making sure that people become more self-reliant as much as
possible.
“We are working with the World Bank
and the International Finance Corporation to tap into the resources of the
private sector for this sustainable programming.”
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