Nigeria has a total of 2.5 million IDPs due to violence and conflicts as at January 2021, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajia Sadiya Farouk has said.
The minister who disclosed this in Jalingo, Taraba State capital added that the figure was out of the world’s over 40 million displaced persons.
According to the minister, who was who was represented by Mr Peter Audu, Deputy Director in the ministry, the displacement has left the victims or affected persons traumatised, families separated, communities destroyed, and basic infrastructure damaged.
“As you may also be aware, the basic social and economic activities in the various communities have been disrupted, making the need for humanitarian action inevitable.
It was in view of these that the Psycho-Social Support and Empowerment training for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Taraba has begun on Monday
” In the last few years, displacements have occurred in various parts of the country, coming along with its trademark of trauma and other social issues that also has a lot of impact on the mental health of the affected persons.
“The aim of this programme is to return the affected persons to their normal and familiar routines that engage their mental abilities to the understanding that life is gradually normalising with a view to being empowered economically.
She said this would also help in meeting their family needs as they exited the camp.
“Also, it will provide opportunities for the displaced population to take care of their own livelihood that would contribute to enhancing their well being and help ease the stress they are experiencing.
“It will be appropriate to mention here that this programme is targeted at 50 IDPs in Taraba State who are drawn across the affected Local Government Areas in the state.”
Head of Administration, Taraba State Emergency Management Agency, Mr Yusuf Ubandoma praised the minister for initiating the scheme and urged the beneficiaries to take the training seriously.
“It is important that you are empowered because that is the only way you can stand your ground and weather the challenges that will come your way. Disaster is a natural phenomenon that can not be predicted.
“What matters is how we manage it. Take whatever you are taught here seriously. There are several other displaced persons but only the few of you are chosen. Do not take this opportunity for granted,” he said.
