The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has announced its decision to discontinue provision of aid to Nigerian refuges. The UNHCR representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Antonio Canhandula made the disclosure on Wednesday during an interactive session with some refugees from Niger, Cameroun and Sudan in Lagos.
“I am in Lagos as part of my maiden visit to our Lagos Office, for me to discuss with you refugees on how to provide solutions to your challenges. We really want you to know that being a refugee is not a satisfactory situation. As refugees, what you need is protection and not continuous assistance” he added.
The new representative called on the refugees to device alternative means of livelihood as the agency would no longer carter for their wellbeing. “We cannot continue to discuss how to give you money for food, accommodation and children’s education. You all have to get out of the mentality of continuously getting financial support from UNHCR. Our support is ineffective,’’.
Canhandula hinted that the agency is engaging the Nigerian government in dialogue with a view to fashioning out a programme that would build the capacity of refugees and make them self-employed.
