Abuja: Two Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have called on the government to support and prioritise the reintegration of victims of insurgency into society to help them rebuild their lives with dignity. Mrs. Elizabeth Duile, Co-founder of Civitas Auxilium Foundation (CAF), and Dr. Segun Showunmi, Convener of The Alternative, made this appeal during an outreach event to commemorate the 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD) at an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp on Monday in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the outreach was a collaborative effort organized by CAF, Junior Chamber International (JCI), and The Alternative. The initiative falls under the ‘Project REACH’ programme, which is a community-based intervention aimed at promoting dignity, resilience, and empowerment among displaced women and families.
Showunmi highlighted the importance of balancing government efforts to combat insurgency with the need to support survivors of the crisis. He emphasized that while it is crucial for the government to control insurgency, it is equally important to ensure that those who are alive are reintegrated into society effectively. He pointed out that the challenges faced by the displaced community, such as the lack of basic amenities like public toilets and water, could be addressed with government intervention.
Showunmi also urged the government to focus on rehabilitation and reintegration as much as on military operations. He appealed to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, the Borno State Government, and the Federal Government to provide support for the vulnerable residents. He commended the resilience of displaced persons and expressed hope that Nigeria would eventually overcome insurgency, allowing affected communities to rebuild their lives.
Duile noted that various interventions, including training, skills acquisition, and health services, were provided to promote dignity, resilience, and empowerment among displaced women and families. She highlighted that over 250 people benefitted from the programme, which included livelihood skills training and empowerment support, hygiene and sanitation advocacy, and free medical services.
Furthermore, Dr. Gladys Alex of Maitama District Hospital emphasized the urgent need for government intervention to address health-related complications and malnourishment in the camp. Alex noted that many issues stem from poor hygiene and insufficient nutrition, particularly affecting women and children.
Beneficiaries of the outreach expressed gratitude for the skills acquisition exercise, empowerment starter packs, and free medical services provided. Mary Ibrahim, a participant from Gwoza in Borno State, shared that the skills acquired would enable her to support her family and potentially return to school in the future.