The United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU) have called for a transition from short-term humanitarian responses to sustainable, community-driven development initiatives aimed at addressing the needs of more than 3.5 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria.
The appeal was made by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, during a high-level dialogue of the project steering committee on durable solutions for displaced persons held at the UN House in Abuja. According to data from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), approximately 3.5 million people are currently affected by displacement across the country.
Fall said internal displacement in Nigeria has evolved beyond a humanitarian emergency and now represents a broader development, peace, and human rights challenge. He noted that displaced populations consistently express a desire for safety, stability, and opportunities to rebuild their lives and become self-reliant.
He disclosed that under the UN Common Programme, nearly 200,000 children and adolescents will benefit from education and skills development initiatives, while close to 150,000 people will receive support to access sustainable livelihood opportunities designed to improve long-term economic resilience.
Also speaking at the event, the EU Head of Cooperation in Nigeria, Massimo De Luca, revealed that the bloc intends to gradually phase out short-term livelihood assistance in conflict-affected areas and redirect its investments toward private sector-led development. He explained that the approach will guide the EU Support for Internally Displaced Persons in Nigeria (SIDPIN) project in Yobe, Adamawa, Benue and Kano states, as well as the Support for Protection, Assistance and Durable Solutions (SPADS) project in Sokoto State.
Meanwhile, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) reported significant progress in Sokoto State, revealing that 50 per cent of displaced households supported under its intervention programme have successfully moved from camps into urban communities. The organisation’s North-West Programme Manager, Victory Daniel, said the initiative uses the Green Graduation Approach to help families escape extreme poverty, adding that a recent survey showed 63 per cent of displaced households prefer permanent integration into urban areas.
Elijah Adeyemi
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