23 October 2007
analysis
Lagos — In 2001, there was outbreak of violence between the predominantly cattle-rearing Fulanis, and the majority agrarian Mambilla.
Many people died and property was destroyed leading to the flight of displaced people to Cameroon. Urgent post-conflict intervention was needed to foster reconciliation and promote a sustainable peace in the area.
Through a process initiated and led by UNHCH Nigeria, a UN Joint Programme was agreed upon and signed up to by nine UN Agencies - UNRC, UNHCR, UNIDO, FAO, WHO, UNAIDS, UNIFEM, ILO, UNFPA and UNODC. With a budget of over 1.7 million dollars the aim is to prevent a recurrence of conflicts by through reintegration and empowerment of 10401 returnees to communities in Taraba State.
The UNHCR component in the Joint Programme concentrated on community based projects such as rehabilitation of primary schools, power and water plants, construction of spring water projects, development of community services centers to provide skills acquisition, and provision of equipment such as grinding machines for example.
Other UN Agencies efforts are geared towards development and longer-term social reconstruction. These include provision of seeds, fertilizers, tools and technical support for crop production and animal husbandry to returnees and other communities. The Special Programme for Food Security (SPFS) by FAO is helping with agriculture production to boost income and employment. UNIFEM is strengthening existing government structures at both State and Local Government levels to support women's empowerment strategies. Rapid assessment of the HIV situation in Sardauna Local Government was provided by UNAIDS, which is also integrating HIV prevention, treatment, care and support into the assistance provided. UNIDO installed two power plants and provided milk and agro-processing UNFPA assisted with sensitization of returnees and local communities for reconciliation and sustainable peace as well as reproductive health. Trafficking related issues were addressed by UNODC, and health interventions by WHO. ILO, UNESCO and other partners such as ECOWAS and NEPAD are making contributions to the success of the UN Joint Programme in Taraba.
The Federal Government of Nigeria is supporting the programme with a support Package to broaden the programme ensuring its sustainability through linkages with line ministries from which members of the Technical Committee of FGN have been drawn.
Another UNHCR-led joint programme aims to ensure smooth local integration of Liberians and other refugees in Nigeria. As of January 2007 there were 8,768 refugees and 676 asylum seekers in Nigeria. Out of this figure 4,158 were living in Oru camp in Ogun State.
With the end of the civil war in Liberia in 2003, the situation in that country has been gradually improving. As a result of a successful electoral process which saw the victory of Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and the installation of a new legislature, the situation further improved. UNHCR Nigeria had been facilitating voluntary repatriation of Liberian refugees from Nigeria since 2004. Although voluntary repatriation of refugees to their country is the most desirable durable solution to refugee situations, in cases where voluntary repatriation (or resettlement to a third country) is not desirable, local integration may be the only remaining option.
After voluntary repatriation of Liberians and Sierra Leonean, it is expected that some 3000 Refugees Camp into Ijebu-North and Ijebu-Ode Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Legal, economic and socio-cultural processes are the three inter-related dimensions of local integration. Based on a joint assessment carried out by the participating UN agencies a strategically selected set of interventions for smooth local integration of refugees outside Oru Camp will ensure the legal status of refugees, give them access to justice and other rights, and assist them with access to sustainable livelihood opportunities. It will ensure that local and refugee children and youths male and female, are given equal educational opportunities within the host community and ensure increased awareness on HIV/AIDS, and access to prevention, treatment, and care & support for men and women living with HIV/AIDS.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2007 This Day. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
