Chief of Mission, International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Mr. Lauren De Boeck in a group photograph with journalists in Maiduguri.
By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
The Chief of Mission, International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Mr. Lauren De Boeck has said that IOM in 2023 had played a crucial role in addressing the shelter needs of 71,666 individuals affected by conflicts and environmental
hazards.
Mr. Boeck said emergency, transitional, and durable housing solutions, including the construction of shelters, the distribution of shelter kits, and the innovative construction of 270 mudbrick shelters have been implemented.
He added that additional 37,277 individuals benefited from NFI interventions, ensuring access to personal and household items through hybrid, in-kind, and cash-based approaches.
The Chief of Mission, IOM stated this Friday at the end-of-year media briefing of IOM Nigeria’s Humanitarian Impact in 2023 with journalists at the IOM Borno State office.
He also said that the organization have completed six solar boreholes, the construction of 402 shower and latrine stances, and successful hygiene promotion campaigns reaching 37,266 individuals.
The Chief of Mission, further, explained that early Recovery and Livelihood support and interventions were carried out as IOM’s commitment towards fostering sustainable solutions to the crisis and empowerment program’ was evident in the interventions by way of promoting livelihoods and early recovery. Initiatives, such as safe access to fuel and energy, vocational skills training for youth, the construction of markets, and climate-smart agricultural training, reaching out to thousands of households, significantly contributing to long-term resilience and community empowerment.
According to him, IOM assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration, collaborating with the Federal Government of Nigeria where IOM facilitated the return of 4,431 Nigerians and supported their reintegration with a total of 2,853 individuals receiving reintegration assistance, engaging in socio-economic opportunities of their choice.
“Community Engagement and Support activities were carried out where IOM’s engagement with communities through humanitarian, livelihoods, and protection activities showcased significant achievements.
“Workshops on Housing, Land, and Property (HLP) rights were executed reaching out to 432 households, granting them land title documents among others to the Key Sectors such as Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) where in 2023, IOM’s WASH programme reached a remarkable abd estimated number of 127,075 individuals across 37 IDPs camp locations in BAY states, namely, Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states which are most affected by the insurgency.
He added that the IOM has maintained an active presence, with a workforce spanning five sub-offices in Benin City, Lagos, Yola, Katsina, and Maiduguri, along with a main office in Abuja. Operating in 30 states and the Federal Capital, Abuja.
” IOM collaborates closely with migrants, displaced populations, affected communities, governmental bodies, and intergovernmental and non-governmental partners at both the federal and state levels.
” IOM’s work in Nigeria is guided by three pillars: Resilience, Mobility, and Governance. In 2023, the organization demonstrated a substantial commitment and impactful interventions across various sectors to address pressing humanitarian needs resulting from conflicts, environmental and climate hazards, and displacement across several states.
“The organization’s mission encompasses a wide spectrum of migration governance, covering areas such as immigration and border governance, labour mobility, migration health, protection, recovery, peace building, transitional justice, disaster risk reduction, and climate change adaptation.
” IOM’s dedication involves providing protection, empowerment, health and education access, social cohesion, and life-saving humanitarian assistance to mobile populations, internally displaced persons (IDPs), hosting communities, and vulnerable migrants, with a particular emphasis on women and children.
He noted that under Protection and Assistance, in 2023, IOM identified and supported 682 victims of trafficking, with a dedicated focus on vulnerable groups such as survivors of gender-based violence, persons with disabilities, and unaccompanied and separated children as well supported the development of various policy documents, including Family Tracing SOPs and BIP guidelines, underscored IOM’s commitment to a comprehensive approach to protection.
Mr. Laurent said Conflict Mitigation and Community Reconciliation witnessed the launch of IOM’s CMCR project in August 2023 marked a significant step towards addressing conflicts over natural resources. Stakeholder training, coordination meetings, and peace-building efforts contributed to community resilience, reaching 364 stakeholders and conducting 11 coordination meetings with government bodies.
“While Migration Health of the IOM’s made significant efforts in 2023, including over 260,000 Pre-Departure Medical Health Assessments (PDMHAS), diagnosing and referring 166 migrants with TB, administering 15,000 vaccine doses, and renovating three public hospitals, exemplified the organization’s commitment to comprehensive healthcare”, he said.
