UN urges stronger response to IDPs in Nigeria

According to a statement from the UN, the number is one of the highest of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the world.The UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, Mr. Chaloka Beyani, said the international support to protect and assist those displaced has remained woefully insufficient and has not kept par […]

According to a statement from the UN, the number is one of the highest of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the world.
The UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, Mr. Chaloka Beyani, said the international support to protect and assist those displaced has remained woefully insufficient and has not kept par with the speedy increase of IDPs in Nigeria.
“Large scale internal displacement remains a national challenge in Nigeria. The prevention of further displacement caused by indiscriminate killings, burning of villages and grenade attacks in crowded markets has to be a priority,” Beyani noted.
The UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Ms.  Rita Izsak, who visited Nigeria in February 2014, explained that many of those displaced are persons belonging to ethnic and religious minorities who have been victims of violence. “Urgent steps should be taken to address not only the symptoms but the root causes of the mass displacement that is affecting some regions,” Ms. Izsak said.