by By Elijah Ugani – Calabar
Mediatrix Development Foundation implementing peaceful Coexistence of Cameroonian refugees and hosts communities, took to social to celebrate the 2020 World Refugees Day.
Speaking to thelumine, the Chief Operating Officer of Mediatrx, Mr. Jeffrey Adamade, noted that “the outbreak of Covid-19 has prevented us to have the usual gathering of refugees, partners and UNHCR to celebrate this day, which is usually set aside to celebrate all those who have fled their homes to find safety.
“For us at Mediatrix, we have decided to use our social media handles to create awareness and sensitization on the importance of this day using key information.
“The theme of this year’s commemoration is Every Action Counts. This entails that we all need to rise to the challenge of the moment to contribute our quota to better the situation of the refugees even at this pandemic era”
Some of the links to the publications are provided here;
https://m.facebook.com/story.php? Story_fbid=551379389079044&id=100026209622358&sfnsn=scwspmo&extd=IEMIJWFLgvl4SRMM
https://t.co/fwcJnIkKd8#WorldRefugeeDay#WorldRefugeeDay2020 #EveryActionCounts#WeStandWithRefugees pic.twitter.com/dQUV6nvkIb
— Mediatrix Foundation (@mdfnigeria) June 20, 2020
https://twitter.com/mdfnigeria/status/12742688386818048?s=08
#2020WRD#EveryActoonCounts#Mediatrix@Refugees @abuudiyaundeye @mdfnigeria @Abua69753823 @st pic.twitter.com/4A0PgTkjG3
— Elijah Ugani (@elijah_ugani) June 20, 2020
#2020WRD#Mediatri
Cross River State alone hosts over 36,000 Cameroonian Refugees, about 63 percent of Refugees in Nigeria.@Refugees @unhcrnigeria @CCFNigeria @CusoIntl @mdfnigeria @AyadeLinda @NigeriaSenate @MideOnifade @lindaikeji— Elijah Ugani (@elijah_ugani) June 20, 2020
#2020WorldRefugeesDay#EveryoneCanMakeADifference#EveryActionCounts#Mediatrix@Refugees @UN @unhcrnigeria @CCFNigeria @CusoIntl @MideOnifade @elvis_okolie @BemLugard @LumineNews @AyadeLinda @mdfnigeria
— Elijah Ugani (@elijah_ugani) June 19, 2020
https://mediatrixfoundation.org/blog/2020/06/world-refugee-day-2020/
This follows as the Head of Calabar Field Office, Mr. Christopher Muganba had in a press briefing in Calabar on the 19th June 2020, held that not only the number of people who fled their homes to find safety, but the entire world is grappling with the devastation of the global pandemic.
Muganba held that “In 2020, we mark the World Refugees Day against a backdrop of dramatic social change. Not only the number of people who fled their homes to find safety, but the entire world is grappling the devastation of the global pandemic.
“The Covid-19 pandemic and the recent anti-racism protests have shown us how desperately we need to fight for a more inclusive and equal world: a world where no one is left behind, including those forced to flee by war and persecution. Everyone, including refugees, can contribute to society and Every Action Counts in the effort to create a more just, inclusive and equal world.
“UNHCR estimates that 70.8 million people are refugees or have been displaced by violence in their own countries, and 1 out of every 100 people in the world has fled their homes.
“Refugees are volunteering through sewing masks, creating awareness on Covid-19 prevention, SGBV/Child protection, and conducting environmental sanitation campaigns in the settlements. In the time of Civic-19, we have witnessed how everyone can make a difference and how every action count.
“In emergencies, UNHCR and its partners are on ground, helping to provide shelter, food, clean water, and domestic care – yet it is the people in local communities who give so much, sometimes over the years. This solidarity/hospitality is essential, it inspires and moves us to believe that people can thrive together.
“UNHCR is not responding to the refugee situation in Nigeria in isolation. Permit me to thank the State Emergency Management Agency, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons NCFRMI, Government Agencies, our partners that help implement interventions and the protection of refugees. Caritas, CUSO, FHI360, FJDP, Mediatrix, MSF, Rhema Care, Save the Children, UNFPA, UNICEF, WFP and most of all our donors who make it possible for us to be here and to provide some assistance to refugees.
“As parts of our efforts to integrate and encourage people coexistence of refugees into the host communities in the state, UNHCR is currently undertaking 28 projects in all the communities hosting the refugees, ranging from education, health and WASH”
On the new influx of refugees into the state through tracks other than the borders and what measures to contend with the influx, Mubanga stated that “protection is the responsibility of government. Government is responsible for those walking into the country. UNHCR is only complementing government efforts. The state Task Force has put in place preparedness action plan in border and entry points. UNHCR has been supporting health screening before being taken to the settlement.
“We are worried that settlements are congested and we are very worried. We are working very seriously to prevent outbreak, it will be devastating if we have any outbreak. Facilities have been provided to isolate and quarantine new arrivals. We are also building an isolation center at the General Hospital Ogoja”
The Director General of the State Emergency Management Agency SEMA, Mr. Princewill Ayim, averred that this year’s world refugees day is marked in a different world.
His words “We are marking this World Refugees Day in a different world, not like last year. First and foremost, let’s remind ourselves that in every minute, 20 persons leave everything behind just to escape war, persecution and terror.
“On behalf of our amiable governor, His Excellency, Sen. Ben Ayade, we are here to stand in solidarity with over 70 million refugees and IDPs across the world who have been vulnerable, traumatized in their protracted situations.
“We are also here to raise the awareness that no one in the world should be left behind. We need a world that everyone can make a difference including the refugees and IDPs.
“In keeping the aspirations of the GRC and its comprehensive refugees response framework, we as government of cross river state will be focusing on promoting long term solutions by enhancing self reliance amongst the refugees in the state and host communities, while ensuring strong links with our local and international partners. God bless you all as we stand together as a global family”
Responding to how long the Cameroonian refugees will stay in the state, Ayim noted that Nigerians are also refugees in other countries. He gave statistics to include;
