The Niger State Government has appealed for assistance with managing the 20 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the state.
Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) lamented that the burden of taking care of the IDPs is taking a toll on the state government because of the dwindling resources as the government resources can no longer sustain the displaced people for a long time.
The Director-General of the Agency, Alhaji Ibrahim Inga revealed this to reporters over the weekend when the Victims Support Fund (VSF) visited the Gwada IDP Camp in Shiroro Local Government Area.
“The Niger State government is having serious challenges over the IDPs situation in the state. That is why we call on kind-hearted individuals and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to help us because this situation is not easy and has overwhelmed us, especially with the lean resources and economic hardship in the country.
“The state is not deriving its resources elsewhere as its resources come within the economy of the country. This is why we call for people to come so that we can partner and make the living conditions of these people better.”
Inga further explained that the majority of the displaced people are still in the camp because their communities are not safe for them to return.
She expressed concern over the fact that it is only the state government and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs that have reached out to the displaced persons in the camp. He called on other humanitarian agencies and development partners to reach out to the people.
