A high-level United Nations delegation will visit Nigeria from October 20 to 22 to assess and showcase the country’s ongoing efforts to address the needs of internally displaced persons.

The delegation will be led by Ms Ugochi Daniels, deputy director-general of the International Organisation for Migration. Others are Raouf Mazou, assistant high commissioner for operations at the UN high commissioner for refugees, and Shoko Noda, director of the crisis bureau at the UN Development Programme.

According to Mr Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, the mission will engage with senior government officials, development partners, and UN personnel operating in affected communities.

As of July 2024, Nigeria hosts an estimated 3.5 million IDPs, largely due to insurgency, banditry, communal clashes, and environmental shocks such as flooding and desertification. The North-East region remains the epicentre, sheltering more than 2.1 million displaced persons.

In spite of national and international efforts, humanitarian needs remain severe.

According to UN figures, 7.8 million people in northern Nigeria require assistance this year. However, only 1.3 million have been reached so far, raising concerns over limited funding and operational constraints.

The visit by the UN delegation is expected to reinforce international support for Nigeria’s transition from emergency relief to long-term recovery, stabilisation, and reintegration of displaced populations.

The visit will also showcase Nigeria’s progress in managing internal displacement and resettlement. It will promote best practices that could serve as models for other displacement-affected countries. Among other things, the visit will strengthen collaboration among humanitarian and development actors.

In addition, it will mobilise increased international support and financing for long-term, development-focused interventions.

(NAN)