WHD: UNHCR Vows To Protect Dignity Of Refugees In C'River ... As It Marks World Humanitarian Day
Hannah ARIKPO
As the world commemorates the 2024, World Humanitarian Day, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to Nigeria, Fillipo Ghandi has vowed to protect the dignity of the 42,000 Refugees in Cross River and the 65,000 hosted in the Country.
Ghandi made the pledge while addressing a crowd of Humanitarian Aid workers and Development Partners at the Eleven - Eleven Millenium Park Calabar, after a Road Walk to mark the first Humanitarian Day celebration in the State.
The UNHCR Head who spoke through a Representative from the Commission, disclosed the resolve of the Commission to raise awareness about the critical role in protecting the teaming population of Refugees and expressed appreciation towards the efforts of the Nigerian government towards the welfare of Refugees.
"UNHCF appreciates the Nigerian government and Cross River in particular for the holistic protection, we are here and will continue to act for Humanity through services that will ensure that displaced persons live in dignity, "Ghandi assured.
Flagging off the walk, the Wife of the Cross River Governor, Rev. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu represented by her Special Assistant, Programmes, Mrs Queen Eton announced the First Lady's Pet Project ' Humanity without Borders and advised the public to identify with the project by transforming lives in different locations and communities.
"Humanity without Borders is a pet project of the Wife of the Governor. I enjoin Cross Riverians to pull resources together in their various locality and Communities for a better Society.
Commissioner, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleriation, Dr. Helen Isamuo Igodo announced that the state government has carried out a number of humanitarian projects ranging from social welfare as well as distribution of palliatives at the different IDP camps and lauded Development Partners, UNHCR, UNSAID, CSOs and NGOs for their support and cooperation with the present administration.
She also commended the understanding exhibited by Communities affected either by crisis or natural disasters urging them to continue to support government gestures towards them.
Speaking, wife of the Speaker, Cross River House of Assembly, Mrs Nelly Ayambem, states:"Humanitarian work is about selfless service, it knows no border, tribe, statue nor division. From today try and extend a helping hand to the needy in your neighbourhood."
She urged everyone to incorporate ' rendering Humanitarian service as a hobby and practice it daily.
In their Goodwill messages, some officials in the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry, Mr Ekuma Augustine, the NGOs and CSO representative, Comrade Edem Edem expressed excitement that humanitarian aid workers in the state were being celebrated alongside their counterparts in the world for the first time and pledged their best in serving humanity.
The World Humanitarian Day is a day set aside by the United Nations to Celebrate the commitment, determination, resilience and passion of humanitarian workers globally.
In Cross River, the day was climaxed with a Road Walk which kicked off from the Eleven - Eleven Millenium Park, Calabar through major streets in Calabar by government officials, Development Partners, NGOs, CSOs and Civil Servants.
