Bernard Doro, the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, has asserted that insecurity is keeping thousands of Nigerians confined to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, and that secure resettlement is unattainable without the establishment of peace.
Doro made these comments during a Tuesday interview with ARISE NEWS.
He noted, "There are several factors that lead to displacement, and crisis is a significant one in our nation. The ongoing nature of these crises is a primary reason many remain displaced.”
He elaborated that IDP camps are intended for temporary accommodation while individuals are supported, but added that lasting peace is essential for their return to their ancestral homes.
The Minister refuted claims that there are no plans for resettling IDPs, explaining that his ministry collaborates with the National Security Advisor's office to ensure the safety of displaced individuals' homes.
"Upon taking office, our focus has been to coordinate with the National Security Advisor and various security agencies to safeguard the ancestral homes of those in the camps. If homes are not secure, resettling those individuals would be futile. Resettlement requires peace and the appropriate conditions to be in place. Therefore, it is incorrect to say that there are no plans; we are actively working on it. As I mentioned earlier, we are in partnership with security organizations to restore peace so that IDPs can be resettled," he stated.
He also indicated that some camps around the country have already been closed, and former residents have begun returning to their homes, highlighting his ministry's achievements.
"Currently, there are about two camps in Borno that have been shut down. The people are being resettled. As you may have heard from the Honorable Commissioner earlier, we collaborate with various organizations and international development partners to provide humanitarian assistance and support livelihoods for those in our camps," he mentioned.
Addressing misconceptions about the number of IDPs in Nigeria, the Minister asserted that the estimate is approximately 3.7 million, contradicting a reported figure of 7.5 million.
"To clarify previous figures cited, based on data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), there are an estimated 3.7 million people in camps and host communities throughout the country. The figure you mentioned of 7.5 million does not match our information," he clarified.
Despite existing challenges, Doro assured that the ministry is augmenting its efforts, alongside development partners, to ensure that IDPs receive dignified shelter, sufficient food, and improved sanitation infrastructure.
"There is indeed more work to be done. I will not claim the conditions in the camps are satisfactory for everyone. However, with our limited resources, we strive to provide resettlement housing that respects the dignity of those impacted. We are addressing hygiene, sanitation, and their nutritional needs, as well as building infrastructure for resettlement when necessary. I refuse to categorize IDPs as 'forgotten Joes'; they are people, and we are dedicated to maintaining their dignity in all our efforts," he remarked.
Minister Doro also emphasized the ministry's commitment to ensuring that those in IDP camps receive educational opportunities.
"We collaborate with our development partners to support educational initiatives for children in IDP camps. Various organizations and NGOs offer assistance; however, not all support is channeled through us. Our focus is on engaging qualified personnel who can effectively facilitate education for the children residing in these camps," he concluded.
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