Niger denies poor conditions in IDP camps and plans Skills Acquisition Center

Niger’s Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Crisis Management has denied reports of ill-treatment of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in camps across the state.

The ministry said in a statement yesterday in Minna, its Director of Media and Strategy, Habibu Wushishi, that a N3 billion skills acquisition centre would be established for internally displaced persons.

The statement, described as false, said the camps were falling into disrepair and thousands of internally displaced people were in urgent need of basic amenities and were struggling with health problems.

“Even though the ministry is focused on fulfilling its responsibilities in serving humanity and mitigating all kinds of disasters and does not want to associate words with platforms that do not physically visit such camps but sit in the comfort of their offices or rooms and write frivolous stories, it has become necessary sorting out history,” he said.

The statement said the ministry is committed to fulfilling its responsibility to provide IDPs with adequate care, hence the continuous distribution of food, mosquito nets, blankets and other materials since its establishment on July 16, 2023 by Governor Umar Mohammed Bago.

Wushishi said in a statement that although people with health problems or other forms of hardship have always been profiled and given the necessary attention at the various camps, the ministry as a donor-led ministry has visited many local, national and international donor organizations such as North South Power Company, Foundation TY Danjuma, National Refugee Commission, UNICEF, NEMA, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Aid and Poverty Alleviation for assistance.

The statement added: “It is very important to state categorically today that through commitment, diligence, strategy and careful planning, the ministry sought and obtained approval for the construction of a N3 billion skills acquisition center for North Central in Minna for IDPs, so that they can become economically and socially independent, with construction to begin at any time.”