International delegation visits Borno to support displaced communities

International delegation visits Borno to support displaced communities

Reported by Sele Media Africa |Ihuoma Amarachi

MAIDUGURI — An international delegation has visited displaced communities in Borno State to engage on sustainable solutions for recovery, resilience‑building and long‑term reintegration of those affected by years of conflict and displacement. Delegation Visit The delegation from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) — including top operations and protection officials — visited Borno as part of their review of Nigeria’s “forgotten displacement crisis”. During their stay they met returnee and internally displaced persons (IDPs), government officials and local partners. [1] Their discussions centred on livelihood opportunities, restoration of services (such as health, education and water/sanitation) and facilitating safe, dignified returns and community reintegration. [1]

Key Challenges & Focus – Borno State remains host to over 1.6 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) out of about 3.6 million displaced nationwide. [2] – The delegation highlighted that many displaced families, rather than just receiving aid, seek meaningful opportunities: jobs, land access, schooling, housing and participation in community life. [1]- The government of Borno has launched a housing resettlement project — building tens of thousands of homes with clinics, schools and markets — as part of reintegration efforts. [3]

Why It Matters

This mission signals a shift from emergency relief to durable solutions: rebuilding livelihoods, infrastructure and community cohesion instead of prolonged dependency on camps. For residents of Borno’s displaced communities, it offers hope of returning home or being integrated into stable surroundings. For donors and partners, understanding the depth of displacement challenges in Borno means designing programmes that support education, health, agriculture, employment and social integration — not only shelter and food.

What To Watch –

Whether follow‑up commitments made by the delegation lead to *scale‑up of livelihood programmes*, housing construction, and education access for returnees. – How coordination between the state government, UN agencies, development actors and local communities evolves to implement the “whole‑of‑society” approach the delegation advocated. – Monitoring whether returnees are provided with sustainable land, infrastructure and access to services (rather than simply being moved out of camps).- The pace at which formerly displaced families choose to return home or relocate into host‑communities with dignity and choice — a key marker of success.

Take‑away

The visit by the UNHCR delegation to Borno underscores that the displacement crisis is multi‑dimensional and long‑term. As one senior UN official put it: “We cannot watch this protracted situation endure, with families dependent on assistance year after year.” [1] For Nigeria — and for Borno in particular — the focus is shifting from “temporary camps” toward durable reintegration, rebuilding lives and communities, as well as restoring normalcy after years of insurgency and displacement.

Citations:

1. UNHCR: www.unhcr.org/news/press-releases/unhcr-commits-sustainable-solutions-nigeria-s-forgotten-displacement-crisis?utm_source=chatgpt.com2. The Guardian Nigeria: guardian.ng/news/un-partners-borno-nedc-to-resettle-2-2m-idps-in-neast/?utm_source=chatgpt.com3. The Guardian Nigeria: guardian.ng/news/zulum-commits-n3-8tr-to-housing-project-for-idp-returnees/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

About The Author

Ihuoma Amarachi Grace

author

Ihuoma Amarachi Grace is a journalist with Sele Media Africa, committed to telling authentic African stories with depth and creativity. A Christian and a student of English and Literary Studies, she blends her love for writing with the art of spoken word to inspire and inform. Her voice adds a thoughtful and artistic dimension to Sele Media’s mission of amplifying unheard voices across the continent.

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