IOM Chief of Mission speaking to newsmen in Maiduguri on Friday
The UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) operating in 30 states and Abuja has reiterated its commitment to sustain humanitarian interventions in Nigeria in collaboration with Federal Government and other stakeholders.
The IOM Chief of Mission in Nigeria, Mr Laurent De Boeck, made the commitment at the End-of-Year Media briefing on Friday in Maiduguri on the organisation’s interventions in 2023.
De Boeck said that IOM interventions in Nigeria remain guided by three pillars of Resilience, Mobility, and Governance.
“In 2023, the organization demonstrated a substantial commitment and impactful interventions across various sectors to address pressing humanitarian needs resulting from conflicts, environmental and climate hazards, and displacement across several states,” he said.
According to De Boeck, within 2023 a total of 127,075 individuals were reached with Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services across 37 camps in Borno and Adamawa states.
He said that IOM also completed six solar boreholes, constructed 402 shower and latrine stances as well as promoted successful hygiene campaigns that reached 37,266 individuals.
“Collaborative efforts with partner organizations ensured the distribution of cholera and hygiene kits to flood-affected areas, contributing to a safer and healthier environment.
“In areas of Shelter and Non-Food Items (NFIs), IOM played a crucial role in addressing the shelter needs of 71,666 individuals affected by conflicts and environmental hazards.
“Emergency, transitional, and durable housing solutions, including the construction of shelters, the distribution of shelter kits, and the innovative construction of 270 mudbrick shelters, were implemented,” he said.
He also noted that additional 37,277 individuals benefited from NFI interventions, ensuring access to personal and household items through hybrid, in-kind, and cash-based approaches.
In areas of community engagement and support, he said that land and property rights reached 432 households who had land title documents, while under community/family tracing programme reunited many families.
The chief of mission said that under Conflict Mitigation and Community Reconciliation, IOM launched a project in August, marked a significant step towards addressing conflicts over natural resources.
“Stakeholder training, coordination meetings, and peace-building efforts contributed to community resilience, reaching 364 stakeholders and conducting 11 coordination meetings with government bodies.
“Under protection and assistance, IOM identified and supported 682 victims of trafficking, with a dedicated focus on vulnerable groups such as survivors of GBV, persons with disabilities, and unaccompanied and separated children.
“Collaborating with the Federal Government of Nigeria, IOM facilitated the return of 4,431 Nigerians and supported their reintegration.
“A total of 2,853 individuals received reintegration assistance, engaging in socio-economic opportunities of their choice,” he said.
The chief who also spoke on IOM role in rehabilitation and reintegration of repentants Boko Haram in Borno, said that 2,311 of them identified as non combatants had been reintegrated into communities.
He said that 89 per cent of them were resettled in Borno while the remaining 11 per cent in other states of their choice.
