ECOWAS plans need assessment to assist IDPs, others 

The Economic Community of West African States, on Tuesday, said it would develop a humanitarian needs assessment for the assistance of Internally Displaced Persons, refugees, and asylum seekers within the region.

The Commissioner of Human Development and Social Affairs in ECOWAS, Prof. Fatou Sarr, said this at the regional workshop on the validation of baseline data on humanitarian needs assessment of Persons of Concern; IDPS, refugees, returnees, stateless persons, asylum seekers and communities in Abuja.

Sarr noted that the ECOWAS Commission has constantly developed and reviewed its strategies in collaboration with member states and relevant partners in line with its principal mandate of assisting member states to reduce the suffering of populations affected by humanitarian emergencies and affected communities.

However, the commissioner said according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on displacement, “6,919,306 people were forcibly displaced of which 6,284,384 were IDPs, and 634,922 were refugees  Asylums seekers as of December 2023.

“The UNHCR 2024 report has put the figures of stateless population in the region at over 931, 000.”

She added that the information collated from the region in 2024 showed that population displacement resulting from varied humanitarian events has contributed enormously to the worsening of the humanitarian situation.

The commissioner represented by the Director, Humanitarian and Social Affairs, ECOWAS Commission, Sintiki Ugbe said, “In 2023, the ECOWAS Humanitarian assistance focused on populations affected by severe flood disasters and food insecurity in member Smstates.

“In 2024, the data and information collated from the region have shown that population displacement resulting from varied humanitarian events, especially conflicts, have contributed enormously to the worsening of the humanitarian situation.”

In response to the increasing humanitarian events in the region, Sarr stated that the workshop which involved participants from member states would “come up with appropriate data and information on the needs of populations affected by the identified challenges to further close the response gaps and reduce humanitarian sufferings which if sustained will ultimately close the gap in Humanitarian Development Peace nexus.

“Accordingly, the workshop will focus majorly on addressing the impact of displacement and related humanitarian events on refugees, IDPs, migrants, asylum seekers, and stateless persons as well as host communities in 2024.

“Other factors such as food and nutrition crisis and the prospects in the coming months and expected mortality rate, etc. have also formed the core reasons for ECOWAS’ decision to respond to these segments of the population in need.”

In his address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Abel Enitan, said the region has continued to witness severe humanitarian crises exacerbated by conflicts, lack of basic services, and the escalating impacts of climate change.

Enitan represented by the Director, Humanitarian Affairs, Valentine Ezulu, noted, “In the light of the prevailing challenges, characterised by violence, insecurity, armed conflicts, natural disasters and governance issues, it is evident that our region is facing deepening humanitarian crises.

“The impact is not confined to specific areas, affecting neighbouring specific states and exacerbating the plight of vulnerable populations.

“It is imperative that we address these challenges collectively, with a focus on protection, assistance, and sustainable solutions for those in need.”

He advised that as ECOWAS proceeds with the needs analysis, “We must prioritise humanitarian access as a critical lifeline for those ensnared in conflict zones, and emphasize the necessity of protection and assistance for all affected individuals.

“Our actions must be informed by accurate data and a commitment to inclusivity, while acknowledging the persistent gaps despite ongoing efforts by Member States and partners. The urgency of our collective response is paramount to offer comprehensive support to all persons of concern and their host communities, leaving no one behind.”

The 15-nation bloc ECOWAS,  formed in 1975 to promote economic integration in member states,  has struggled in recent years to reverse a wave of military takeovers in the region, including Mali in 2020 and 2021, Burkina Faso in 2022 and Niger last year.

The exit of three countries from ECOWAS threatened the African Continental Free Trade Area aimed at accelerating intra-African trade and boosting the continent’s trading position in the global market.

Earlier, ECOWAS imposed economic sanctions on the countries.

The sanctions were, however, lifted a few weeks ago following the intervention of Nigeria’s ex-military head of state, Gen. Yakubu Gowon.

The President, ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray said the decisions were taken in the interest of unity and security in the African sub-region.