FG Tasks Stakeholders On IDPs’ Action Plan

The Federal Government has urged the National Humanitarian Coordination Technical Working Group (NHCTWG) and other stakeholders to develop a robust methodology for the development of a National Action Plan (NAP) for the implementation of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) policy.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq,  made the call at the Fifth National Humanitarian Coordination Technical Working Group (NHCTWG) meeting  in Abuja.
Farouq recalled that on February 24, 2020, President  Muhammadu Buhari approved the constitution of a National Humanitarian Coordination Committee (NHCC) to oversee all humanitarian actions in the country.
She said the committee was charged with providing national vision for humanitarian actions as well as advising on coordination between the security services and humanitarian actors.
“However, the NHCC set up this TWG, a multi-sectoral committee, to serve as its engine room and  to provide technical support to the National Humanitarian Coordination Committee (NHCC).
“It is also to provide platform for stakeholders in the humanitarian space to interrogate all humanitarian operations, emerging issues and ensure seamless response and application of best practices.
“This fifth meeting will inter alia focus primarily on updates on National Policy on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) after its approval by the Federal Executive Council on 1st September, 2021.
“I, therefore, charge stakeholders to exchange ideas, views and agree on the most robust methodology towards the development of actionable NAP for the implementation of the IDP policy”, Farouq stressed.
According to her, this will go a long way to activate a process of closing the gap in coordination and management of IDPs in the country.
“Therefore, your expert contributions are  highly desired and would be very much appreciated. I wish you all  successful deliberations”, she said.
Also speaking, Deputy Head of Office, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA), Esty Sutyoko, said the UN would continue to support the ministry in delivering of it mandate.
“It is a thing of joy to see that the ministry is championing the humanitarian course.
“We will continue to contribute our quota to see that the ministry attains its vast mandate, which includes effective coordination of national and international human development.
“Insecurity in the North East and other parts of the country has been disrupting life system and social services.
“In these critical times, as an international organisation, UN-OCHA and other organisations will continue to provide the needed support.
“We have reiterated our commitment to stand by Nigeria and support her actions towards providing humanitarian needs.Thus, it is necessary for us to improve our collaboration”, Sutyoko said.