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Tag: IDP

  • Borno records 3,800 new cases of HIV in IDPs camps

    Borno records 3,800 new cases of HIV in IDPs camps

    Malam Barkindo Saidu, the Executive Secretary, Borno Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (BOSACA), says 3,800 new cases of HIV infections have been recorded in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the state.

    Saidu told the newsmen in Maiduguri on Wednesday that the new cases were recorded after voluntary screening in 15 IDPs camps in the state.

    He said that currently 2.4 per cent of the population of the state or about 108,000 persons are living with HIV and AIDS, going by the demographic survey provided by the National Population Commission.

    The scribe said: “We recorded 3,800 new cases of HIV between January 2017 to March this year.

    “Also, 70 children in the IDPs camps tested positive.

    “So far, in the whole state we have about 18,101 new cases of persons living with HIV within this period and only 9,438 are currently coming for the Anti-Retroviral Therapy and counselling.

    “Our challenges are enormous and cannot be over emphasised. It will interest you to note that Borno state have not participated in any HIV programme in the last two years.

    “Only tiny portion of the people living with HIV and AIDs can access treatment because most anti-retroviral centres have closed,” he said.

    He explained that only 32 out of the 90 anti-retroviral centres were still operational in the state.

    “Within the last six years, the state was only able to achieve nine per cent out of its HIV reduction prevalence rate in Borno state.

    “This was because the government and other support partners have not given priority attention to the plight of such persons.

    “Governor Shettima had approved N45 million counterpart funding for HIV development programmes since December 2016, but the fund is yet to be released.

    “Three months ago, I wrote a letter to about 29 Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to come to the plight of such persons but only UNICEF is assisting.

    “On the 30 March, the Federal Government had received grant for HIV, TB and Malaria from Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Maleria (GPATM). We cannot access this fund until the state government provide counterpart support funding,’’ Saidu said.

    The executive secretary, therefore, renewed his appeal to the state government to release the counterpart fund and urged NGOs to support people living with HIV/AIDS.

     

     

    NAN

     

  • 2Face Idibia doles out N3.5m to support IDPs

    2Face Idibia doles out N3.5m to support IDPs

    Nigerian music star, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as “2Face,” on Monday presented a cheque of N3.5million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

    Idibia, who made the presentation to UNHCR in Lagos, said that he was particularly touched when he visited camps of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in North-Eastern Nigeria recently.

    The Nigerian music artist said that he was donating the money to the agency to assist it in alleviating the living conditions of the IDPs, who had been subjected to harrowing experiences in the various camps.

    “The conditions I met the internally displaced persons, when I visited their various camps were terrible. They were really terrible.

    “The 2Face Foundation has, therefore, decided to enter into partnership with the UNHCR to see how we can help put smiles on the faces of these persons. “My foundation is today presenting this cheque to the UNHCR to support it in its operations of alleviating the sufferings of these IDPs,’’ he said.

    Idibia called on other well-meaning Nigerians to come all out and support the International organisation in its effort at protecting the millions of Nigerians in the various camps.

    He said that it had become obvious that the agency and government alone would not be able to address the current socio-economic problems facing the IDPs.

    The UNHCR’s Acting Country Representative to Nigeria, Ms Brigitte Mukango-Eno, commended 2Face for the humanitarian gesture, adding that her Agency currently needed public support for its operations in the North East.

    Mukango-Eno, who was represented UNHCR’s External and Donor Relations Officer, Mr Hanson Tamfu, said that the activities of Boko Haram in the North- East had overstretched the agency’s financial base.

    “We sincerely want to express the gratitude of the UNHCR to 2Face. This is a right step toward our private sector following.

    “Over these years, it has become important for us, as an organisation, to depend on the private sector, for us to be able to meet our responsibilities.

    “2Face has scored a very important goal by discovering the UNHCR Office within the UN system.

    “We want to use this opportunity to appeal to other private Nigerians and philanthropists to emulate this gesture by the 2Face Foundation in alleviating the conditions of the IDPs in the North East,’’ she said.

    According to her, the UN Refugee Agency, currently responds to the needs of more than 1.8 million internally displaced persons in Nigeria.

     

    NAN

  • FG will restore normalcy to IDPs in North East – Osinbajo reassures

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to restore normalcy to the lives of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Northeast region of the country.

    A statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Laolu Akande, on Friday, said Osinbajo stated this when the Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), Ms. Ertharin Cousin visited him in the State House, Abuja.

    According to him, the Federal Government is working on how the IDPs can get back to their normal socio-economic activities, and to help the children obtain quality education, housing and other necessities of life.

    “We are working on how people can get back to their normal lives.

    “The Federal Government is also working on how to help the children especially regarding education and housing.

    “So many people are in need, it’s a tough challenge, but we are committed,’’ he said.

    He assured that the Federal Government would continue to secure the places where the peace had been restored, stressing that the dealing with the security challenges “is an ongoing task for the government.’’

    Osinbajo, who appreciated the collaboration of international agencies like the United Nations in the efforts to combat insecurity in Nigeria, also appreciated the visit of the delegation of World Food Programme.

    While acknowledging the agency’s assistance in the Northeast region, especially regarding children and families, the Vice-President pledged more cooperation from the government.

    In her remarks, Etharin Cousin stated that she came to brief the acting President on the activities of the WFP, and to extend the greetings of the Secretary General of the UN.

    She commended the Federal Government for the support WFP was enjoying in Nigeria.

    The Executive Director expressed appreciation that since the establishment of the inter-ministerial committee on the Northeast, there had been a significant improvement in the implementation of the UN agency’s work providing assistance in the region.

     

    NAN

  • 7.1m Boko Haram survivors eat one meal a day – UN envoy

    7.1m Boko Haram survivors eat one meal a day – UN envoy

    No fewer than 11 million survivors of the destructive Boko Haram insurgents are in desperate need of humanitarian aids.

    Mr Toby Lanzer, the Humanitarian Coordinator for the Sahel, said this while Spotlighting the desperate plight of millions in Africa’s Lake Chad basin.

    The top United Nations humanitarian official for the Sahel region also called for international solidarity with the people in urgent need.

    Lanzer told UN Correspondents at the UN Headquarters in New York that the Boko Haram crisis did monumental destruction to the Lake Chad basin countries, which include Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria.

    The UN emergency official regretted that the condition of the victims of the insurgents was dire adding,
“I wish I had good news, but I don’t”.

    “About 11 million people are in desperate need of humanitarian aid, 7.1 million of them are severely food insecure.

    “To say “food insecure”, according to World Food Programme, is that they are living on the edge, surviving on, if they can, one meal a day,” he said.

    Lanzer added that among the situation of children is particularly worrying.

    “Some 515,000 children are severely and acutely malnourished and their lives are at risk if aid does not reach them urgently.

    “No government on earth can do what it takes to confront these numbers of severe food insecurity.

    “This is a clear case where international solidarity with the governments of the region is needed,” he stressed.

    According to him, the Sahel region already has about 2.5 million internally displaced persons (IDP).

    Lanzer said improving security situation in the Lake Chad Basin region had revealed the depth of the humanitarian suffering of survivors of the destructive insurgent group.

    “The scale of humanitarian suffering in the region has become increasingly evident with improving security situation as a result of the military campaign against Boko Haram.

    “This has allowed humanitarian actors to reach many places which were impossible to get to earlier due to insecurity.

    NAN.

  • EFCC arrests Councilor, 4 others for stealing 300 bags of rice from IDP camp

    EFCC arrests Councilor, 4 others for stealing 300 bags of rice from IDP camp

     

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has picked up a Supervisory Councillor for Agriculture in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State, Umar Ibrahim and four others for allegedly stealing bags of rice donated by Danish Refugee Council, a Non-Governmental Organisation, to the Internally Displayed Persons in the council.

    The anti-graft agency in a statement by its spokesman, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren discloed that the arrest was consequent upon an intelligence report.

    Others arrested along with the councillor are: Bulama Ali Zangebe , Modu Bulama, Halilu Abdullahi and Abacha Ali.

    According to some of the suspects, the Caretaker Chairman of Mafa Local Government, Shettima Maina, allegedly instructed the sale of the rice to the duo of Alhaji Lawan Ibrahim of Bolori Stores and Umar Salisu at the rate of N8,500 per bag.

    Maina and two other suspects are still at large.

    Recall that World Food Programme had urged the EFCC to ensure transparency in the administration of relief to displaced persons.

    An Assistant Executive Director, WFP, Roberto DaSilva, urged the EFCC to ensure credibility and accountability in the disbursement of funds and purchase of food items to the North-East.

    In a related development, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State on Wednesday called for prosecution of persons who allegedly diverted 50 bags of rice meant for IDPs in the State.

  • Buhari regrets accidental bombing in Borno, wishes victims divine succour

    President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed deep sadness and regret over the accidental bombing of a civilian community in Rann, Borno, by the Nigerian Air Force engaged in fighting Boko Haram insurgency in the area.

    In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Tuesday, the president condoled with families of the dead.

    The president, who expressed sympathy to the Borno Government, also wished those wounded during the incident divine succour, leading to full recovery.

    He pledged the Federal Government help for the state government in attending to “this regrettable operational mistake”.

    Buhari, who pleaded for calm, prayed God to grant repose to the souls of the dead.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigeria Army has said that a fighter jet misfired and shot some humanitarian aid workers of the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), recording casualties.

    The Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. Gen. Lucky Irabor, said the victims were possibly aid workers and civilians.

    Irabor said that the accident happened at Kala Balge Area of Borno.

    “So far, it is a little bit disturbing; death has occurred. There are casualties; there are deaths and injuries”, Irabor said.

    “But on the actual number of casualties, we will get back to you later. I am yet to get the number of casualties of civilians killed, but two soldiers were also affected,’’ he added.

    The shots reportedly hit the Medicines Sans Frontiers and some civilians.

    “This morning, we received a report about the gathering of Boko Haram terrorists around Kala Balge area of Maiduguri.

    “I coordinated and I directed that the air component of the operation should go and address the problem.

    “Unfortunately, the strike was conducted but it turned out that other civilians were somewhere around the area and they were affected.’’

    He said some humanitarian staff of Medicines Sans Frontiers and some staff of International Committee of Red Cross(ICRC) were also affected.

    “We are sending helicopters to evacuate those that were critically wounded, including our wounded soldiers,” Irabor said.

  • Several dead as Nigerian jet mistakenly drops bomb on IDP camp

    Several Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) were reportedly killed after a military plane mistakenly dropped a bomb inside the Rann IDP camp in Borno State.

    The Rann IDP camp in Kala-balge Local Government Area caters for thousands of persons displaced by Boko Haram.

    “At least hundred people were injured and needed to be evacuated to hospitals.

    At least two people are feared dead from the incident and the injured included officials of the Doctors without Borders, MSF.” Witness told Premium Times

    The military spokesperson, Rabe Abubakar, a brigadier general, confirmed the incident but explained that it was an error that the military deeply regretted.

    He explained that soldiers got information of movement of Boko Haram members and deployed ground troops and air cover to tackle the terrorists.

    The Theatre Commander of Nigerian forces in Borno, Lucky Irabor, a major general, also confirmed the attack at a press conference.

    “This morning today, we received reports about gathering of Boko Haram terrorists somewhere in Kala Balge Local Government area of Borno State. We got a coordinate and I directed that the air should go to address the problem.

    “Unfortunately the strike was conducted but it turned out that the locals somewhere in Rann were affected.

    “We are yet to get the details of the casualties. But we have some civilians that have been killed, others are wounded and we also have two of our soldiers that were also wounded. Among some that are wounded are local staffs of the Medicine Sans Frontiers as well as ICRC,” he said.

  • Headies 2016: Uti Nwachukwu urges artists to spare Christmas gifts for IDPs

    Uti Nwachukwu, a Television personality, model, and actor on Friday urged artists in the country to remember Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as they celebrate Christmas.

    Nwachukwu made the call while presenting the award for the Best Pop Single at the eleventh edition of the HIP television HEADIES music awards in Lagos.

    According to him, the plight of IDPs is a reality and a challenge facing the entire country.

    “While we are celebrating with our artists, presenting them with their befitting awards, let me seize this opportunity to remind every artist not to forget the IDPs.

    “Spare some gifts for them this season of celebration because while we are celebrating, they don’t have what it takes to celebrate the Christmas.

    “I have been there, I have seen them, it is not a tale that we should doubt,” Nwachukwu said.

    He, however, informed the artists to reach him for those that may have difficulty in getting across their gift items to the IDPs.

    The HIP TV HEADIES award included Best Street Song, Best Alternative Song, Best Pop Single, Best Rhythm &Blues Single, Next Rated Artist, and Artist of the year among other categories.

     

  • Senate demands sack of SGF over alleged mismanagement of IDP funds

    Senate demands sack of SGF over alleged mismanagement of IDP funds

    The senate has demanded that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, resign from office over allegations bothering on mismanagement of funds set aside for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

    The upper legislative chamber took this decision following the indictment of Lawal by a committee that investigated corruption in the management of funds for IDPs in the northeast.

    ‎At a public hearing last week, Umar Gulani, secretary of the Presidential Initiative on the Northeast (PINE), an initiative which Lawal oversees, could not account for N2.5bn meant for internally displaced persons in the region.

    Gulani had claimed that N203m out of the money was spent on clearing grass in Yobe state.

    But his claim was countered by Yobe state information commissioner, Mohammed Liman.

    On Wednesday, a senate ad hoc committee on‎ humanitarian crisis in the northeast chaired by Shehu Sani submitted it is report, which indicted the initiative.

    After a debate on the report‎, Baba Kaka Garbai moved a motion for the resignation of Lawal, who heads the initiative.

    The upper legislative chamber thereafter resolved to ask Lawal to resign and be prosecuted for corruption.