Calabar — Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Cross River State may soon heave sigh of relief as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have indicated interest to partner with the state government in the rehabilitation programme.

Director-General, Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. Vincent Aquah, disclosed this at a workshop on "Enhancing Essential Sexual Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS Care in post conflict and Internally Displaced communities in Cross River State," organised by Nigeria Youth Aid Programme in partnership with Action Aid Nigeria and European Union in Calabar, Cross River State capital.

Aquah said the dwindling economy of the state had been a major factor inhibiting the smooth implementation of programmes for the IDPs, stating that it had been a worry to the state government.

He said the humanitarian spirit of the state government had remained steadfast but for the unfortunate poor economy.

Aquah said collaboration and assistance from NGOs and philanthropic bodies would be a welcome development that could culminate into the provision of the socio-economic needs of the displaced persons.

Listing six displaced communities in the state to include Ofonokpan-Mbembe, Obubra, Ebijakeara in Abi, Bakassi, Ikot Offiong and Ntan Obu in Odukpani as well as Agwagune in Biase local government areas, the director-general said that many people lack adequate essential facilities to guarantee good living.

Aquah, who described the workshop as apt, reassured the (Internally Displaced Persons) IDPs of the state government's immense commitment to providing sustainable succour to them.

He, therefore, advised them to remain peaceful as they continue to live with their host communities.

The SEMA boss also appealed to the people of the state to firmly embrace the virtue of peace, which the state had been known for and shun all acts that could be inimical to sustainable growth socially, economically and politically.

Aquah, who said 60 per cent of the displaced persons are victims of communal clashes, stated that such dastardly acts that had plunged the communities into sorry states and the negative effects on their neighbours could have been averted if dialogue rather than violence were sought by the warring parties.

The coordinator of Action Aids, an NGO that seeks to impact positively on the less privileged especially the vulnerable; women and children, Mrs. Esther Agbon, said that the organisation was ready and willing to partner with the state government to provide succour to the displaced. She said that the sensitisation programme is aimed at impacting knowledge on the stakeholders to view in more concrete terms the needs of the displaced especially as it relates to sexually reproductive health in post-conflict and internally displaced communities.

The Programme Manager of the Nigeria Youth Aid Programme, Mr. Kelvin Ezechiedo, commended the state government for its efforts at enhancing the status of IDPs and assured of its willingness to support the venture.