Refugee commission rolls out plans for S/African returnees
The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) has outlined plans to provide coordinated psychosocial and socioeconomic reintegration support for Nigerians recently repatriated from South Africa.
The Federal Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of NCFRMI, Dr Tijani Ahmed, made this known on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to Aliyu, the Federal Government’s intervention would extend beyond facilitating the return of the affected Nigerians to providing structured support for their recovery and reintegration.
He said the commission, in collaboration with relevant government agencies and other stakeholders, received an additional 305 Nigerian returnees from South Africa.
According to him, this is the fifth official chartered repatriation flight funded by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The latest arrival brings to 1,485 the total number of returnees received since the reception exercise commenced on June 11.
The 305 returnees also represent the largest single caseload received since the commencement of the exercise.
“The commission will begin reaching out to the returnees in batches over the coming days to provide mental health and psychosocial support and undertake further assessments of their individual needs.
“Returning after a prolonged and often difficult migration experience may present emotional, social and economic challenges, making counselling, profiling and comprehensive needs assessment essential to achieving sustainable reintegration.
“The process will enable the commission and its partners to better understand the vulnerabilities, skills, family circumstances and livelihood needs of each returnee before linking them to suitable programmes and services.
“The Federal Government is committed not only to ensuring the safe and dignified return of Nigerians but also to supporting them as they rebuild their lives and reintegrate into their families and communities.
“Following the psychosocial support and assessment process, eligible returnees will be integrated into relevant programmes of the Commission,” he added.
”The commission will referred them to sister agencies and institutions whose mandates cover skills development, employment, entrepreneurship and livelihood support,” he said.
The NCFRMI boss identified potential partners in the reintegration process to include the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the Industrial Training Fund (ITF).
Others, he said included the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), as well as other government institutions, private-sector organisations and development partners.
The commission explained that the reintegration process would be implemented in phases and in batches to ensure that available interventions are properly coordinated, targeted and responsive to the circumstances of the returnees.
He also reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, state governments, international organisations, civil society groups and the private sector
This he said was to strengthen the reintegration process and reduce the risks of further vulnerability or unsafe remigration.
He commended the stakeholders that have supported the reception exercises since their commencement on 11 June, including agencies responsible for immigration clearance, emergency assistance, airport facilitation, profiling, documentation and onward transportation.
He further assured the returnees that the Federal Government remained committed to protecting their dignity and supporting their successful social and economic reintegration into Nigerian society.