Zulum bans NGO, others from helping resettled IDPs

Borno Government has banned organisations from distributing food and non-food items to resettled communities in the state.

The government issued pronounced the ban in a letter signed by Gov. Babagana Zulum.

It was addressed to humanitarian organisations and development partners through the United Nation’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

“The Borno State government wishes to acknowledge and thank you for all your support to the people and government of the state and in particular your support for people displaced internally by insurgency.

“As you are aware, the Borno State government is deeply committed to supporting our people to build resilience and support themselves out of poverty.

“To this end, government has committed to closing all official IDP camps in Maiduguri by December 2021.

“Part of this initiative is to empower people to begin to build back their lives.

“One of the cardinal principles of our resilience-building effort is to wean people off humanitarian food distribution.

“Another principle is to dignify the people and empower them to buy their own food and determine their future.

“In furtherance of this, the Borno State government, after consultation with our communities, have decided that no partner organisation shall henceforth be allowed to distribute food and non-food items in any of our resettled communities.

“This applies to local, national, and international partners

“Food distribution will only be allowed in IDP camps and IDPs in host communities for now,’’ Zulum directed in the letter.

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The governor also directed that partners needed clearance from government to ensure coordination and check duplication in all new areas they wish to distribute food and non-food items.

“While we look forward to your conforming with this decision, please accept my appreciation of your partnership and support to the people and government of Borno State,’’ Zulum added.

Borno government has closed four IDP camps in Maiduguri and resettled inmates in their ancestral communities or in areas of their choices.