Nigeria - The Embassy of France in Nigeria and IOM on 10 October launched a project aimed at strengthening access to justice services for people displaced by the Boko Haram conflict living in camps and host communities in Maiduguri in Borno State, northeast Nigeria.

The project is designed to contribute to the improvement of living conditions and protection through the provision of legal information; awareness campaigns to expand the community’s knowledge of how to access justice; advice that will inform them about their legal options; assistance in choosing and accessing appropriate legal mechanisms; and the provision of legal representation, assistance and counselling.

In order to provide legal advice, ensure better access to essential services and familiarize people with Borno State’s formal legal system, the project will provide information in community-based fora to enhance legal awareness and improve legal literacy. It will promote discussion using culturally appropriate methods tailored to communities, and ensure that survivors know their rights and can access the formal system.

Advocacy visits to traditional rulers and persons of influence in host communities will be carried out, as well as training of selected community members as paralegals in order to build a protection environment conducive to finding durable solutions to human rights violations. Camp managers and other key stakeholders will be also trained on access to justice for the internally displaced.

IOM will work on the 9-month project in close collaboration with the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA).

The Ambassador of France to Nigeria Denys Gauer affirmed the commitment of the French government to support the promotion of human rights of the affected population in the region. “The Government of France is happy to continue this cooperation with IOM. You are doing a great job in delivering humanitarian assistance to the IDPs,” he said.

IOM Nigeria Chief of Mission Enira Krdzalic said: “Humanitarian response in the northeast is improving, but there is still more to be done. IOM is determined to promote the human rights of the affected population as much as possible, while providing humanitarian assistance to beneficiaries.” 

Since late 2014, France has also supported IOM Nigeria’s psychosocial support programme, which has helped over 21,565 people affected by the conflict in the northeast of the country.

For further information, please contact IOM Abuja. Ikechukwu Hillarion Attah, Tel: +234 8140671127, Email: iattah@iom.int  or Enira  Krdzalic, Email: krdzalic@iom.int