Representative of the body in Nigeria, Ms. Angele Dikongue-Atangana, said in an interview yesterday that an intelligence assessment carried out in May had blamed their displacement on the recent crises in the North-east region.
“According to an intelligence assessment of North-eastern Nigeria, at least 650,000 persons have been displaced within the boundary of Nigeria. And what is of most concern to the UNHCR in Nigeria today are these internally displaced persons.”
She said her organisation was working hard to establish a regional office in Gombe that would take care of many of the internally displaced persons, adding that the international community and the UN systems in Nigeria are working jointly to provid protection and care for the affected persons.
The representative also disclosed plans by UNHCR to ensure efficient coordination and management of camps for those affected.
“UNHCR will always support respective states in taking care of internally displaced persons.
“This is one reason we want to establish an office in Gombe, to be able to cater for the needs of many displaced persons in this part of Nigeria,” Dikongue-Atangana.
