The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has provided sustainable solutions to 2,712 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), returnees and refugees through the construction of 454 permanent housing units in Labindo community, Gerie local government of Adamawa state.
The UNHCR Country Representative, Chansa Kapaya, disclosed this on Tuesday during the Labondo local integration project launch tagged: “Advancing Durable Solutions Pathways”.
Kapaya explained that the displacement challenges in Nigeria are significant with millions affected and in need that’s the reason why the UNHCR dimmed it fit to fulfil its promised innovative, durable and sustainable solutions.
She said the Labondo project focuses on community empowerment, sustainable housing and socio-economic development which aligns seamlessly with the Secretary-General’s Agenda for the IDPs.
The UNHCR Country Representative noted that the Labondo project is in collaboration with Nigerian Humanitarian Fund (NHF) and United Nations CERF and Adamawa state government as implementing partners.
She said the intervention is not just about immediate relief but to ensure a sustainable impact that can be replicated and scaled in other displacement context.
She urged the Adamawa government to enhance the already built School infrastructure, improve market facilities, upgrade health post with better equipment, environmental strategies like tree planting to mitigate against windshields, broader livelihood opportunities and better safety measured like street light to enhance efforts against gender-based violence etc.
The Female IDPs Leader, Binta Ali, expressed enthusiasm with the new houses given to them adding that most of the IDPs/refugees lives in rented homes but now owns one.
She said the UNHCR intervention has also provided a School and Hospital where the women can now get free anti-natal care during pregnancy.
Ali thanked UNHCR and the Adamawa state Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri for providing a 15-hectare land for the implementation of the project and urged for the provision of electricity and health workers in the Hospital.
Also speaking, the Governor said the Labondo Local Integration Project is an initiative that is dear to his heart and his administration as it aligns with his administration’s guiding philosophy which aims at ensuring that “no one is left behind and nothing is left untouched”.
He added that in his determination to positively transform the state, he is particularly delighted that the project focuses on community empowerment, sustainable housing, livelihood support, social cohesion and socio-economic development.
He thanked the UNHCR and partners for the intervention in housing, education, health etc.
He urged the 454 households and approximately 2,700 individuals who are beneficiaries of the houses and other interventions to cultivate good maintenance culture to ensure their sustainability.
Fintiri called on the new settlers of Labondo community to commit themselves to peaceful coexistence and security of lives and property.
“However, if violent conflict still occurs, we should strive to be our brothers’ keeper by collaborating to provide succour and supporting the livelihood of the unfortunate victims,” he started.
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