Yola - Not less than 2.2 million people are faced with displacement following the escalation of violence in northeast Nigeria since 2014. The International Organization for Migration is helping to provide durable shelter solutions to conflict-affected populations and has assisted in the resettlement of 187 displaced families through the construction of 218 housing units in Malkohi New City, Adamawa State.

The facility, which occupies 4.5 hectares of land and is equipped with boreholes, eight access points, and solar-powered lighting, is part of IOM’s drive to provide long-term solutions for IDPs who are unable to return to their places of origin by supporting their resettlement in host communities.

"Providing a safe place for people forced to flee their homes is part of our approach to durable solutions that focuses on addressing the needs of IDPs and host communities and working with them to build resilience and promote long-term stability," said IOM Nigeria Chief of Mission, Laurent De Boeck.

"We understand that the conflict in northeast Nigeria is complex and multifaceted, and our partnership with the Adamawa State Government, the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (UN CERF), and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has seen sustained effort in the resettlement of displaced populations, and we shall continue to involve multiple stakeholders, including international organizations and local communities, to ensure that the rights and dignity of IDPs are protected," he added.

In addition to supporting the safe and dignified resettlement of IDPs, IOM has also provided livelihood support to 2,568 displaced families and host communities in Adamawa State to help them become self-sufficient and reduce their dependence on humanitarian assistance.

"For us as a government, housing delivery remains one of the most time-tested policies for creating growth, economic development, galvanizing employment, and reducing crime. We shall continue to partner with international organizations and the private sector to meet the housing needs of our people," said Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, Executive Governor of Adamawa State. 

Through coordinated efforts with other agencies, IOM has been working to facilitate dialogue and reconciliation between different ethnic and religious groups in the state to help build trust and understanding and reduce the risk of future violence as well as displacement.

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For more information, please contact:  

Elijah Elaigwu, elaigwu@iom.int or IOMNGERIA@iom.int,