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Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Nigeria hosts highest populations of IDPs in West Africa


The findings of the joint ECOWAS Parliament, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have shown that Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Nigeria host the largest populations of internally displaced persons across West Africa region.

The document presented at the workshop jointly organized by parliament and ICRC and UNHCR on the situation of internally displaced persons in the North-East of Nigeria, highlighted that internally displaced persons in the Region lack adequate healthcare and other necessities for those hosted in the camps.

It stated that understanding internal displacement in West Africa, as in other regions, is an important step in both preventing further displacement and in finding solutions for those who are already displaced.

Stating the efforts of UNHCR in regarding IDPs, Roger Hollo, Deputy Representative in Nigeria said that UNHCR assumes coordination and operational delivery role in IDP situations to ensure protection is central in order to prevent further displacement.

Succeeding the large number of displaced, the ICRC-UNHCR in partnership with the ECOWAS Parliament is to hold a joint study on Legislation, Policy, and Practices Protecting Access to Healthcare for internally Displaced Persons in the ECOWAS Region.

The joint study stems from an assessment of IDP camps by the ECOWAS Parliament and UNHCR, conducted in January 2018, as part of a series of joint fact-finding missions.

“This joint study would gather information on relevant legislation from the 15 ECOWAS Member States and then focus on the policies, and implementation of policies and laws, in four Member State.

“Upon the conclusion of the joint study, a comprehensive report with preliminary recommendations will be submitted to the ECOWAS Parliament.

“Due to the Parliament’s role as representatives of the citizens of ECOWAS, and its active participation in reviewing the situation of IDPs in the field, it stands as the appropriate receiver of the report. The Parliament will assess the findings from across the member states, and determine the steps necessary to fill any gaps” it disclosed.

Furthermore, the document disclosed that the joint study will, “complete mapping, across the 15 member states on legislation protecting access to healthcare during periods of armed conflict, with a focus on access for IDPs.

“Analyze the gaps in existing legislation, and develop appropriate recommendations to address existing gaps and resolve identified issues.

“Visit IDP camps and/or IDPs in host communities in 4 member states (Burkina Faso, Mali Niger, and Nigeria) to document the on-ground situation of access to healthcare, and assess challenges with implementing any existing legislation and policies.

“Ensure all member states, irrespective of whether they are hosting IDPs implement strong legislation and policies on access to healthcare for these vulnerable populations, including where necessary through the adoption of specific regional polices and/or the legislation” it concluded.


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