Charles Ekanem|5 April 2018
The Regional Representatives of the United Nations Human Right Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) for West Africa on the 29th of March, 2018 was received by the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Prof Ivara Ejemot Esu.
Speaking, Prof Ivara Esu lauded UNHCR for setting up an office in Calabar and coming closer to the refugees. He noted that Nigerians refugees from outcome of Boko Haram attacked and invasion in the North are well treated with care in Northern Cameroon and fortunately the Refugees from Southern Cameroon to Southern Nigeria are also receiving care from Nigerians as we learned to be our brothers keepers.
The Deputy Governor said issues of refugees from neighboring Cameroon is a very disturbing issue as most of them are living at homes of the people in the neighboring village and beyond. He faulted the total number of registered refugees by saying the about 20,000 figure should have been up to 40,000 due to the fact that most of them lives in homes of the people in Northern and central Cross River.
He added that the whole process has grossly affected Primary healthcare services which is over stretched as health workers can't go and immunize children from Cross River and leave out Cameroonian Children because of dangers of importing diseases like measles etc into the state. " all our social amenities have been over stretched. Our resources sent in through SEMA has equally been over stretched so we need UNHCR to mobilise resources to support CRS. He prayed for the conflict to come to an end so the people can go back home and continue in their various businesses and trading.
Earlier Speaking the UNHCR Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Antonio Jose Candahula said their second coming is to thank the State Government and the people of Cross River State for the care given to refugees from Cameroon to Cross River especially for providing food, materials and shelter for the refugees.
Mr Candahula went further to state that UNHCR have now established an office in Cross River State and will be having UNHCR staff stationed in Ikom and Obudu.He said the current total number of registered refugees will continue adding up as more registration is ongoing at homes to get the actual number. He commended SEMA for their great support in terms of providing relief materials and food.
Adding to that, Mrs Liz Kpam Ahua UNHCR Rep for the region in ECOWAS join her voice to thank the Cross River State Government for giving them a spot. She said Nigeria was one region that never had internally Displaced Persons or refugees but over the years the numbers keep increasing. She said there is no room for complacency as the Government need to ensure that security and serenity of Nigeria is secured. UNHCR promised to do more.
Mr Mike Mgbekem from Ministry of International Donor Cooperation earlier noted that UNHCR presence in Cross River State is the outcome of refugees influx from Southern Cameroon to Cross River State because of Crisis in that region.
Speaking to the Press after the meeting, Director General of Cross River State Primary Healthcare Agency, Dr Betta Edu assured UNHCR that immunization services will cover children who are 40% of the refugees. She said already the State Government with the support of Red Cross and UNFPA are carrying out Health outreaches in the refugees settlement. She called for immediate assistance.
Part of the UNHCR Delegation was Head of UNFPA Cross River State and Programme Coordinator, Mr Ken Ehouzou, Head of UNHCR Calabar Office, Key Government officials like Commissioner for Information Bar Rosemary Archibong, Commissioner for Health Dr Inyang Asibong, PS from Ministry of International Donor Cooperation and key staff from Deputy Governors office were present.
Charles Ekanem
Writes from Calabar
