The federal government has revealed that about 341,642 Nigerian Refugees are scattered across Niger, Chad and Cameroon.
The government also disclosed that in the last six years, the country has seen an influx of asylum seekers and refugees from neighbouring countries, with Nigeria hosting up to 84,314 registered refugees and asylum seekers from 34 countries.
This, it said,is in addition to over 5,000 unregistered Cameroonian asylum seekers that recently arrived in the country.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Sadiya Umar Farouq, made the disclosure at the 73rd Session of the Executive Committee (EXCOM) of the United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR).
Seeking global collaboration with Nigeria in finding solutions to issues of migration and other refugees related crises, the Minister disclosed plans by the government to implement the National Flood Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan to harmonize with the Sendai Framework.
She explained that the plan would enhance preparedness, build resilience of local communities affected by incidences of flood and other climate change related disasters.
Enumerating efforts and policies being put in place to improve humanitarian service delivery in Nigeria, Umar Farouq added that the administration focuses on Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons.
She implored global stakeholders to eschew discrimination and racism to build sustainable peace and improve livelihoods of vulnerable populations.
Insisting that Nigeria is seeking partnerships to mitigate and adapt to climate change especially in the displacement context, the Nigerian humanitarian affairs Minister noted that “Racism and discrimination should have no place in our world today if we are to build sustainable peace, foster prosperity and improve livelihoods and resilience in a manner that preserves the environment and protects vulnerable populations.”
“Nigeria calls for global collaboration and cooperation with burden sharing and solidarity, particularly to refugee origin and host countries impacted by crises. This is in line with our commitment as Member State to the Global Compact for Refugees.
“Nigeria commends the sustained efforts of UNHCR. We also call on the UNHCR and other migration stakeholders, to continue to work with the Nigerian government towards aligning policies and programs alongside our national development priorities and values as a nation.
“The negative impact of climate change in the Lake Chad Basin has increased the number of displaced persons in the region. More recently, floods and other extreme climatic events have contributed to an additional wave of internal displacement. On the part of our government, we are implementing the National Flood Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan to enhance preparedness, build resilience of affected local communities in line with the Sendai Framework,” she emphasized.
