The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, on Monday, said more than 268,000 persons have been rendered homeless in the South East region owing to natural disasters.
The IDPs, he said are camped in 158 tents in affected communities.
Kalu revealed this in Abuja while speaking at a roundtable discussion with international non-governmental organisations in a programme titled “Through their eyes: A call to action, addressing humanitarian challenges in the South East.”
According to him, Enugu, Imo, Abia, Anambra, and Ebonyi states are the most affected, with many people lacking access to clean water, adequate shelter, healthcare, and education.
Organised by the Office of the Deputy Speaker in conjunction with the Peace In South East Project, the roundtable discussion aimed at exploring avenues for deeper partnerships, engendering resilience, and delivering sustainable solutions to ecological challenges facing the country.
Kalu who represents Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State added that the crisis in the region is characterised by displacement, violence, and ecological challenges, including natural disasters like gully erosion that have left many people homeless.
He said, “The Southeast geo-political zone of Nigeria is grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis, characterised by displacement, violence, and ecological challenges
Report presented today underscores the grim realities: over 268,000 internally displaced persons are spread across 158 camps and affected communities. The states of Enugu, Imo, Abia, Anambra, and Ebonyi bear the brunt of this crisis, with precarious living conditions leaving many without access to clean water, adequate shelter, healthcare, and education.
“Shelter, in particular, remains a pressing concern. Families live in makeshift camps or overcrowded host communities and are exposed to health risks, insecurity, and a loss of dignity.
“Natural disasters like gully erosion have destroyed homes, leaving little to return to. This crisis demands not only immediate intervention but also sustainable strategies to restore stability and hope.”
He recognised the role of international organisations in addressing the challenges of ecological disasters, saying, “From food distribution to improving healthcare access, your interventions have touched the lives of millions. Additionally, your advocacy for marginalised groups, funding for local projects, and systemic support have provided critical relief and long-term opportunities.
“As a representative of the National Assembly, I am deeply committed to championing legislative and policy frameworks that address these issues comprehensively.”
Speaking further, Kalu identified education, healthcare and nutrition, mental health support, gender-based violence and shelter, as the thematic areas that need urgent attention.
He described the crisis in the South East as a national concern, saying, “We, in government, pledge to facilitate an enabling environment for your work. This includes removing systemic barriers, enhancing security in affected regions, and providing a robust policy framework to guide interventions.
“Together, we can bridge the gap between immediate humanitarian relief and sustainable development. I urge us all to remain steadfast in our shared mission. Let us align our resources, strategies, and resolve to build a Nigeria where no one is left behind, and every individual has the opportunity to thrive. Your insights and recommendations from today’s discussions will guide the formulation of evidence-based interventions,” Kalu said.
In their separate remarks, the Head of International NGOs in Nigeria, Camilla Higgins; the Director-General of Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, Umar Mohammed; the national coordinator of National Social Investment Programme Agency; Badamasi Lawal; the Director-General of National Refugees Commission and Migrants, Alhaji Aliyu Ahmed; representatives of the Directors-General of National Directorate of Employment and National Emergency Management Agency who were overwhelmed by the degree of ecological challenges and human crisis in the South East region arising from a video documentary pledged their respective commitments to collaborate with the Office of the Deputy Speaker to address the menace.
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