The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Wednesday commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his progressive refugee policies and programmes.
The UNHCR commended the president Wednesday during a visit to Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa in Abuja by a delegation-led by its Assistant High Commissioner for Operations, Mr Raouf Mazou.
Mazou highlighted Nigeria’s exemplary treatment of refugees and discussed plans for enhancing support and transitioning towards sustainable development strategies.
“I would like to thank Nigeria for receiving a large number of refugees primarily from Cameroon.
“Nigeria has been exemplary in its treatment of refugees. The host communities are playing an essential role in making sure that these persons are resettled.
“The World Bank has a facility for refugees and host communities and we would be accessing these facilities to see how we can bring additional support primarily to help the host communities.
“We are now focusing on a shift primarily from providing humanitarian assistance to development. We are making sure that people become more self-reliant as much as possible,” he said.
He said the new approach would address long-standing issues of dependency on aid and facilitate easier reintegration when refugees return to their home countries.
“We are working with the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation to tap into the resources of the private sector for this sustainable programming. We are moving away from humanitarian assistance to solutions,” he said.
On the issue of voluntary repatriation, he said: “A good number of Nigerian refugees in neighbouring countries are returning. As much as possible, we are ensuring the voluntary return of those who want to go home.”
The UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, Ms Ruvendrini Menikdiwela, commended Nigeria’s adherence to international conventions.
