Nigeria - As part of its humanitarian efforts to alleviate the suffering of families displaced by the violence in North East Nigeria, IOM Nigeria and IOM Cameroon in a joint operation distributed 3,000 non-food relief item (NFI) kits to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Nigerian border town of Banki from 23-24 August 2016.

Banki, which shares a border with Cameroon, is located in Bama Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State, Nigeria. It was once a vibrant border town where trade between Nigeria and Cameroon was the main economic activity.

Head of Office of IOM Cameroon Roger Charles Evina said: “Despite the daunting security and logistical challenges, IOM Cameroon is determined to support IOM Nigeria to reach an affected population that is in dire need of humanitarian assistance.”

The NFIs, which included mosquito nets, sleeping mats, laundry and bathing soaps, jerry cans, sanitary pads and water purification tabs, were funded by ECHO and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) in Nigeria. They were procured and distributed by IOM Cameroon, in close cooperation with IOM Nigeria.

IOM Nigeria, also with funding from ECHO and CERF, provided emergency shelters for about 6,800 people in recently liberated Bama and Gwoza LGAs in Borno State.

IOM Nigeria Chief of Mission Enira Krdzalic reiterated the need for continued support to the displaced population. “IOM remains committed to supporting the government of Nigeria in ensuring that the plight of the IDPs is alleviated,” she said.

The successful distribution in Banki was closely coordinated with Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant Nigerian and Cameroonian authorities.

But more aid is needed in Banki, as the IDP population is larger than expected, totalling an estimated 26,000 people, including women, children and the elderly, according to Krdzalic.

“Strong cross-border coordination and cooperation in all Lake Chad Basin countries will remain key for continuing efficient and timely delivery of life-saving assistance to affected populations,” she noted.

IOM has provided assistance to affected populations in the Lake Chad Basin region with the support of ECHO, CERF, WFP and the governments of the United States, Italy, France, Germany and Japan. It is currently appealing for USD 56.6 million to continue to provide emergency and recovery assistance in the four affected countries, including scaling up its operations in Nigeria, where it is appealing for USD 25 million.

For further information, please contact IOM Nigeria. Ikechukwu Hillarion Attah,  Tel: +234 8140671127, Email: iattah@iom.int or Enira  Krdzalic, Email: ekrdzalic@iom.int. Or Roger Charles Evina at IOM Cameroon, Tel: +237 652 23 46 40, Email: revina@iom.int