The International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC has expressed concern that the plan to close Internally Displaced Persons Camp in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital could worsen vulnerabilities for thousands of families and increase humanitarian needs in the area.
ICRC Vice-President Gilles Carbonnier, who made this known when he visited IDP camps in Maiduguri and Bama noted that many IDPs were extremely vulnerable having been displaced severally leading to loss of belongings and livelihood.
“People who fled armed clashes are extremely vulnerable. Many of them have already been displaced multiple times and have lost their belongings and livelihood,”
Gilles Carbonnier explained that some families were willing to go back to their homes, but the challenge remained fear for their safety and lack of access to basic services.
He reiterated the ICRCs commitment to support communities in rebuilding their lives, helping them establish dignified livelihood and tracing missing family members.
”We provide the most vulnerable families with nutrition support for the malnourished, essential items, and access to safe drinking water.
The ICRC Vice President urged all the state conflict actors to protect human life and dignity in line with the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa ratified by Nigeria in 2012.
Hadiza Abdulrahman
