The Next Edition
  • Home
  • About Us
  • News
  • Featured
  • Investigations
  • Foreign
  • Special Reports
  • Entertainment
  • Interviews
  • Advert Rate
No Result
View All Result
The Next Edition
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About Us
  • News
  • Featured
  • Investigations
  • Foreign
  • Special Reports
  • Entertainment
  • Interviews
  • Advert Rate
Home Headline News

More Cameroonian asylum seekers pour into Nigeria

Agency Report by Agency Report
March 21, 2018
in Headline News
More Cameroonian asylum seekers pour into Nigeria
0
SHARES
27
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Whatsapp

More and more Anglophone Cameroonians are fleeing a violent crackdown in their country and seeking asylum in Nigeria, the Office of the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), said.

The UN refugee agency also expressed concerns over reports of further Cameroonian nationals’ arrests in Nigeria.

You might also like

Full Text: Tinubu’s Democracy Day Address At The National Assembly

Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu Reconciliation Excites Lawmaker

Man, 40, Docked For Allegedly Biting Off Suspect’s Ear In Police Detention

“UNHCR urges the Nigerian authorities to refrain from the forcible return of individuals who may have fled persecution in their country of origin, and to respect the principle of no forced returns,” Ms Aikaterini Kitidi, spokesperson for the UNHCR, said at the regular briefing in Geneva.

The UN refugee agency warned that without more funding and assistance, their situation and that of the Nigerian communities hosting them, would become even more desperate.

Kitidi said: “Anglophone Cameroonians began fleeing violence in October 2017 and continue to pour into Nigeria’s Cross River, Taraba, Benue and Akwa-Ibom states.

“In total, over 20,000 refugees have been registered in the area. Women and children account for four-fifths of the population.”

She added that a recent assessment by humanitarian groups showed how grim the situation had become – with 95 per cent of the asylum seekers having only three days of food.

Most families are down to one meal per day and their coping strategies are themselves risky, ranging from borrowing money to cutting food portions or saving food only for children, she said.

According to her, most say they are having to drink water from streams, ponds and other unsafe sources, because of inadequate or dysfunctional drinking water facilities.

“Essential relief items, such as clothing, blankets and plastic sheeting, are available to fewer than 25 per cent of them,” Kitidi explained.

She disclosed that only five in every 100 Cameroonians had proper or independent shelter while the rest had little or no privacy, squatting in rooms with some 10 to 15 people.

The UN refugee agency decried that the lack of protection from the cold was increasing health concerns as the start of the rainy season approaches.

Additionally, malaria is reportedly increasing, UNHCR said, noting that many participants at the assessment were suffering from fear and anxiety, poor sleep and flashbacks.

According to the UNHCR spokesperson, about 20 to 30 per cent of the asylum seekers have some kind of vulnerability, such as a physical disability.

Three-quarters of the children who recently fled currently cannot access school, because their families cannot afford to pay for books and uniforms.

Adults are also struggling to make ends meet.

Read also: Expelled Russian diplomats leave UK

“A political solution to the situation in Cameroon is urgently needed, so that the Cameroonians can safely and voluntarily return home.

“Until then, UNHCR and its partners will continue their efforts to provide assistance and support to this population as long as we are able,” Kitidi stressed.

The UN refugee agency regretted that while UNHCR had worked on an 18 million dollars contingency plan to help cover their needs, to date, no funds have been received.

The UNHCR spokesperson said: “Earlier this month, the Nigerian authorities allocated land to UNHCR for shelters, to ensure the refugees’ safety, security and self-reliance.

“In line with humanitarian principles, UNHCR acknowledges the authorities’ commitment to assist in moving the refugees at least 50 kilometres from the border.” (NAN)

Tags: Cameroonian asylum seekersnewsNEXT EDITIONNIgerianigerian newspapers
Agency Report

Agency Report

Recommended For You

Full Text: Tinubu’s Democracy Day Address At The National Assembly

Full Text: Tinubu’s Democracy Day Address At The National Assembly

With profound honour, I stand before this joint session of our National Assembly; a parliament that embodies the will of the Nigerian people. Today, as I entered this...

Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu Reconciliation Excites Lawmaker

Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu Reconciliation Excites Lawmaker

  Mr Jude Idimogu, a former Lagos lawmaker, has praised President Bola Tinubu as an exemplary father after reconciling with his political godson, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The News...

Alt="The Nigerian Police Force Logo"

Man, 40, Docked For Allegedly Biting Off Suspect’s Ear In Police Detention

  The police on Wednesday arraigned a 40-year-old man, Umaru Garuba, before an Akure Magistrates’ Court for allegedly biting off the ear of a suspect in police detention....

Police Burst Kidnappers Den In Imo, Arrests Five Suspects

Unknown Gunmen Kill Two Truck Drivers, Set Vehicles Ablaze In Imo

Two truck drivers have been killed during an attack by unknown gunmen at Ogi Junction in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo state.   Officials of the National...

Next Post
Dapchi girls: 76 girls released –FG

Dapchi girls: 76 girls released –FG




Related News

Police Uncover Biggest Cocaine Lab In Netherlands

Police Uncover Biggest Cocaine Lab In Netherlands

Atiku’s Media Outfit, Gotel, Sacks 46 Workers

Atiku Urges Defeated PDP Presidential Aspirants To Work With Him

BREAKING: Ekweremadu, Wife, Daughter Found Guilty Of Organ Trafficking

BREAKING: Ekweremadu, Wife, Daughter Found Guilty Of Organ Trafficking




The Next Edition

Office Address

3B, Agboola Aina street, Off Toyin Street,
Ikeja, Lagos.

Quick Contact Details

Phone:
08033018430
Whatsapp:
08051679910

Email:
advert@nextedition.com.ng
vicki.ibanga@gmail.com

Categories

  • Aviation
  • Beauty
  • Breaking News
  • Business
  • Columnists
  • Editorial
  • Entertainment
  • Fashion
  • Featured
  • Football
  • Foreign
  • Headline News
  • Home & Garden
  • Interviews
  • Investigations
  • North Central
  • North East
  • North West
  • Opinion
  • Parenting
  • Politics
  • Relationships
  • South East
  • South West
  • South-South
  • Special Reports
  • Sports
  • Top News
  • Vox Pops

© Next Edition Business Development Limited

  • About Us
  • Advert Rate
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About Us
  • News
  • Featured
  • Investigations
  • Foreign
  • Special Reports
  • Entertainment
  • Interviews
  • Advert Rate

© Next Edition Business Development Limited