Katsina: Radda Partners UNHCR to Support 250,000 IDPs
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has joined forces with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the Tropical General Investments (TGI) Group to deliver support and sustainable solutions for 250,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state. This collaboration is part of ongoing efforts to address the challenges faced by IDPs and bolster community resilience.
The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, made this announcement in a statement on Sunday. Maryam Musa Yahaya, the Executive Director of the State Development Management Board, detailed the initiative during a visit to project sites with the partners. She noted that this partnership emerged from the recently concluded Northwest Peace and Security Summit, focusing on finding durable solutions for IDPs, preventing future displacement crises, and ensuring effective protection and assistance for the vulnerable.
Yahaya emphasized that the initiative aligns with Governor Radda’s objectives, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the UN Secretary General’s Action Agenda. Through this partnership, the state government aims to provide training, support cooperative development, offer agro-financing, and ensure market access for IDPs, empowering them to rebuild their lives and contribute to the state’s economy.
Governor Radda has taken a significant step by closing all IDP camps in Katsina State, recognizing that these environments are not conducive to long-term well-being. Instead, displaced communities have been integrated into villages and cities, facilitating better access to resources and opportunities for rebuilding their lives. The governor has also appointed a special adviser on IDPs and established initiatives for digital inclusion and irrigation support.
A mobile service delivery unit will be deployed to various wards and local government areas (LGAs), providing essential documentation and services, including National Identification Numbers (NIN), Bank Verification Numbers (BVN), bank account opening, and inclusion in the social register. This proactive outreach aims to strengthen the relationship between the state and its citizens, ensuring equitable access to vital services.
The Katsina State Government is allocating arable land, high-quality seeds, fertilizers, and other agricultural inputs to 1,000 IDPs and vulnerable households, with a strong focus on empowering women. Governor Radda’s commitment to youth empowerment is also part of broader efforts to improve security and peace in a state plagued by banditry and kidnapping.
