Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment to providing refuge to Africans displaced by conflict and natural disasters. Speaking on Wednesday, August 14, after meeting with a delegation from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) at the State House in Abuja, Shettima emphasized the government's dedication to alleviating the suffering of displaced persons across the continent.
Shettima assured the UNHCR delegation that the administration of President Bola Tinubu would fully back initiatives aimed at easing the plight of displaced individuals in Africa. "The UN system has been crucial in helping us address challenges in the northeast and throughout the nation," the vice president noted.
"Nigeria will continue to open its doors to our African brothers and sisters who are displaced by conflict and natural disasters. Our partnership with the UN will only grow stronger. We are eager to explore new collaboration ideas, particularly the UN's focus on sustainable resettlement for refugees," Shettima added.
He stressed the importance of sustainable resettlement strategies to prevent donor fatigue and ensure long-term solutions for displaced persons.
Raouf Mazou, the UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Operations, praised Nigeria for its treatment of refugees and highlighted the agency's shift towards sustainable development strategies. "The World Bank has a facility for refugees and host communities, and we aim to access these resources to provide additional support, especially to host communities," Mazou said.
"We are transitioning from providing only humanitarian assistance to focusing on development. Our goal is to empower people to become as self-reliant as possible. We are collaborating with the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation to leverage private sector resources for sustainable programming," Mazou added.
