The UNFPA Country Representative in Nigeria, Ratidzai Ndhlovu, says that no
fewer than 4.2 million Nigerians have benefitted from the fund’s humanitarian
and psychosocial support services.
Ms. Ndhlovu disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria during a one-day
visit to the most populated Dalori IDPs camp in Maiduguri, Borno.
She said the intervention services began in January 2015 to date.
This notwithstanding, the envoy renewed the UN resolve to increase the
humanitarian and psychosocial support services to victims of insurgency in the
North East.
She reiterated the UN commitment after assessing the distress condition of
the IDPs in the camp, saying that the UN was deeply concerned with their
plight.
The envoy noted that the insurgency had caused a lot of destruction to
unquantifiable human lives and property in the region, thus posing enormous
humanitarian challenges.
Ms. Ndhlovu said the victims suffered huge psychological trauma as they were
attacked, sexually abused and lost their loved ones and property.
According to her, the region had recorded massive destruction of
socio-economic activities, including healthcare services, education, trade and
institutions.
“The UNFPA, therefore, is providing humanitarian and psychosocial support
interventions in the areas of reproduction health, counselling for groups and
communities and promoting gender equalities.
“We are also providing safe clean and dignity kits for expectant and
lactating mothers.
“Over three million people have benefitted from various UNFPA interventions
programmes in the North East and Benue,” she said.
However, Ndhlovu said that the success of the interventions was predicated
upon the effective synergy between the fund and the host government and various
NGOs.
She added that the UNFPA’s collaboration with NEMA and affected states
emergency management agencies (SEMAs) was fast tracking the implementation of
the intervention programmes.
The UN representative also acknowledged the support the UNFPA was receiving
from USAID, JICA, PCFRH and CERF in terms of funding and technical assistance.
She expressed the UN’s desire to see the victims, most especially women and
girls, overcome their challenges and resume normal life.
Ms. Ndhlovu advised the IDPs to share their problems with the counsellors
and consider their current predicament as a temporary setback.
While expressing happiness over what she observed at the “Safe space” and
clinic, the envoy commended the beneficiaries and counsellors for their orderly
conduct and commitment to duty.
She distributed dignity kits to mothers who delivered at the clinic to
improve their health and those of the babies.
The Coordinator of the Safe Space and an IDP, Gambo Abdulaziz, as well as a
Counsellor at the camp, Yagana Grema, had earlier conducted the UN
representative and her team round the facilities.
They told the team that the one-on-one and group beneficiaries were
responding positively to the psychosocial support services being offered them
and solicited for sustenance.
At the camp clinic, Hyledi Yakubu, a consultant gynaecologist and
obstetrician, told the team that normal medical and health services were being
provided to the victims.
The doctor appealed for more support and sustainability of the
interventions.
