By; VITALIS UGOH, Calabar
The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has confirmed the presence of over 10, 000 Cameroonian refugees in various locations in Cross River State.
This was disclosed by the Assistant Representative in charge of Operations for UNHCR in Abuja, Mr Bamba Boubacar, while donating a field Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) to the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) in Calabar.
Boubacar said the vehicle was to aid the organization effectively on the ongoing registration of the asylum seekers.
According to him , “we have registered so far 10, 400 Cameroonian refugees in Cross River and the registration is continuing. We have been informed that there are people not registered in various areas. But until we complete the registration, we would not be able to give an accurate figure. We have people from other countries and also Nigerians who were established in Cameroon coming back. They cannot be registered as refugees. So we need to be cautious and register before providing a figure. But currently the figure stood at10, 400″.
Today, he added, “we are providing this additional support to NCFRMI in Calabar because we have an influx of Cameroonian refugees in this area. This entry was not foreseen and the capacity on the ground was not up to provide a better response to this crisis and as partners of NCFRMI in the protection of refugees, we are providing this support because as you know the refugees are scattered across vast areas in Cross River and to register them, the team has to move from one place to the other and so far, there is a limited number of vehicles”
Boubacar said this additional vehicle will help to speed up the registration process so that the asylum seekers would be registered on time and having at least a proof of registration as asylums seekers. This would be helpful for their protection when they are moving. They would provide this documents to security officials so that they will know that they are asylums seekers and they have been registered”.
The vehicle, he added, is a four by four SUV for rugged terrain, with sitting capacity for seven persons, equipped with modern communication facilities.
“UNHCR, he said “is working closely with government to improve their protection and to ensure that the people have documentation so that they will not be harassed or arrested by authorities”.
While explaining further, he said “we will continue to work with the NCFRMI and the state government to improve on the security and protection of asylum seekers and refugees”.
Said he, “before we provided this vehicle, we have already started to provide assistance to the refugees and I am happy that you are concerned about food. We have provided water, food, items, mattresses, blankets and also shelter kits and so on. We are providing much broader assistance to the people”.
He further disclosed that the UNHCR is planning to open an office in Calabar and also two field offices in other parts of the state.
Earlier, Head, Refugee Status Determination Unit of NCFRMI, Mr Murdakai Titus, who received the vehicle, expressed gratitude for the gesture.
He said, “on behalf of the Honourable Federal Commissioner, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, the management and entire staff of National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), I would like to express our profound appreciation to the office of the UNHCR in Nigeria led by Mr Antonio Jose Canhandula for this great gesture”.
He went on to say “it is indeed an exemplary demonstration of partnership in action, which has long been in existence since the establishment of Commission in 1989”.
The gift of this vehicle, he added, “is made timely when the South-South zone is witnessing unimaginable influx of persons of concern from our neighbouring country Cameroon and more are still arriving. It will certainly facilitate our collective humanitarian response in the South South zone. Hence the need for such gesture cannot be overemphasized. We look forward to a better collaborative relationship in Nigeria”.
