Borno state government in collaboration with the Victims Support Fund have commenced the second phase of relocation of over eleven thousand households back to their communities.
At a ceremony to close down Gubio road IDP camp in Maiduguri, Chairman of VSF General Theophilus Danjuma said each head of household will receive one hundred thousand naira in addition to food and non food items.
In July this year, Borno state Governor Babagana Zulum flagged off relocation of displaced persons from Dalori 1 and Dalori 2 IDP camps back to their ancestral homes which was supported by the Victims Support Fund VSF.
So far more than ten camps have been closed with about one hundred and eighty thousand IDPs resettled.
Chairman Victims Support Fund General Theophilus Danjuma said the Foundation is supporting in the relocation of two additional camps, that is Gubio and Muna IDP camps.
Represented by the Vice Chairman of the Fund Air Vice Marshal Lawal Alao rtd, General Danjuma explained that aside from the relief items and cash assistance, VSF have designed a three-year programme to rebuild livelihood of the returnees.
“VSF will provide educational support, activities associated with peace building among the communities and psychosocial support. Psychosocial in terms of post traumatic stress disorder to ensure that we give them the necessary health support to come back and regain their mental health ” General Danjuma announced.
Borno state Governor Babagana Zulum represented by his Deputy Alhaji Umar Kadafur expressed commitment of the state government to resettling IDPs back to their communities.
He noted that Borno state government is gradually achieving its target of closing down all camps in Maiduguri and Jere by next year.
Governor Zulum thanked Victims Support Fund and other partners for supporting the recovery drive of the state government.
Acting Permanent Secretary Ministry for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Alhaji Mohammed Kaumi said fifteen communities have so far been resettled across the state.
Gubio road camp has a population of over one hundred thousand IDPs from Marte, Bama, Kukawa, Konduga, Kala Balge and Gwoza local governments.
Dauda Iliya