NHRC to investigate short-changing of IDPs in food distribution

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), said it would act on any genuine report on short-changing the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), in the distribution of food.

Executive Secretary of the commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu, made the disclosure on Thursday in Yola at a two-day interface with the MDAs with Protection Mandate in Adamawa.

Ojukwu said that the commission would rely on genuine information from the humanitarian actors to address the issue.

He said that the commission would address such menace to check its reoccurrence.

The executive secretary however, commended the police for their response to allegations on short-changing the IDPs as they sanctioned perpetrators.

“We will stop at nothing to ensure that violators of children and gender rights in IDP’s camps do not elude sanctions.

“Those who short-change IDPs in the distribution of food and medical items must not go unpunished.

“If some persons cheat on IDPs and we look the other way, we don’t know the next people that will become IDPs.

“I must commend the Nigerian Police for responding fast on allegations of violation of IDPs rights, they achieved this by constituting an investigation panel that could uncover perpetrators of such acts’, Ojukwu said.

He said that the interface with humanitarian actors was to enabled the commission create a platform where other actors in humanitarian activities share information of mutual interest.

He said that the platform would also create an opportunity for the protection actors to discuss on way forward in dealing with humanitarian issues relating to the protect action groups.

He said that the meeting would enable protection actors to identify potentials and areas of future collaborations that would improve on the system and communities.

Ojukwu also suggested the introduction of social media platform that could enable stakeholders to interact and share ideas without necessary meeting physically.

He commended the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for the robust partnership.

He said that the collaboration between the NHRC and the UNHCR has impacted positively in the sensitisation of human rights of citizens in Nigeria.

He urged other development partners to take a cue from the UNHCR to reach out to humanitarian protection project areas to be able to see things for themselves.

Ojukwu also commended all the MDAs and NGOs who are into the humanitarian industry for their contributions to human protection and monitoring.

In his remark, Ahmed Teejan -Cole, Resident Officer of the UNHCR in Yola said that the interface was to enable partners attain their goals.

Teejan -Cole said that the interaction would enable citizens’ protection and other humanitarian services in affected communities.

He commended the Adamawa government for its hospitality and accommodation of IDPs from other states.

Our correspondent reports that the stakeholders’ interaction drew representatives from Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency, Adamawa ministries of Health, Agriculture, Education and Women Affairs.

Other MDAs in attendance were Department of State Services, Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Immigration Service, several NGOs in the humanitarian services among others.