World Refugee Day: UNCHR Calls Churches to mobilise their congregations in Adamawa to take a step with refugees

By Felix Joseph Samari/Yola 

The Government House Chapel Dougirei Yola in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Field office in Yola, Adamawa organised a special prayer session and enlightenment campaign to mark the 2019 World Refugee Day. The Program took place at the Chapel on 23th June 2019. The Chaplain Rev Tombrokai Robert Gajere said the World Refugee Day which is marked on the 20^th of June every year was a special day observed around the world by communities, faith groups, schools and institutions, businesses and people from all works of life in solidarity with refugees. He said as a Church it is very important to look into the plight of others as Christ mission on earth was to bring redemption and give succour to mankind which according to him encompass everything.

Prof. Maxwell Gidado Chief of Staff to Adamawa State Governor

Inviting the officials of the UNHCR to speak at the Church service the Chief of Staff to Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri Professor Maxwell Gidado said, the effort of the global community to address human plight is to be commended and complimented. He welcomed the UNHCR to the Government House Chapel on behalf of the Governor of Adamawa State and assured the team of the Fintiri led administration commitment to humanitarian cause.

Mr Vincent Babalanda leading the UNCHR delegation addressing the congregation said the commemoration of the World Refugee Day on June 20 is an annual event thatdraws the attention to the plight of forcibly displaced people from their homes, mobilise support and solidarity  for the refugee cause.. “To show the world that as we go about our daily activities there are people that are not able to do what we can do, they include internally displaced persons, refugees, stateless individuals and returnees. They cannot because they are not at home.”

Mr Babalanda saidout of the 70.8 million displaced persons according to the UNHCR Global Trends Report  5.1% are within Nigeria; he said that is the more reason why the people of Nigeria need to get involved in the support for the affected population. He called on the church community to seek ways to support the people affected in whatever way possible. “As a Christian community we also have to see how best we can support our brothers and sisters as individuals and as a church community.” Mr Vincent Babalanda appealed to the congregation to donate any item(s) that may not be used or needed at home to displaced persons. These items will help to alleviate their suffering due to lack of basic necessities such as clothes, beddings, cooking utensils to mention a few.. “Collectively we can help human being to survive another day, another week, another month and another year.” Reflecting on the theme of the 2019 Refugee Day Mr Vincent said, “Taking a step with the refugee is a Christian duty. Our lord has given us duty to care for the people affected. We need to walk with them to ensure that the mission of God is fulfilled.”

He lauded the Adamawa State government for being valuable partner to the UNHCR. He called on the government to continue to partner in areas possible to support the people displaced irrespective of their language, belief, creed or religion.  According to him, there are number of Nigerian refugees in Cameroon who will be returning to Nigeria in few weeks and Adamawa was sighted to be first State in North East to receive the returnees. He said about 4000 refugees will be returning to Nigeria. Babalanda called on the Christian community to continue to pray so that these people may “come back in safety and dignity.” He said, “Without the Lord there is no hope, when we put God before us we create hope for ourselves and the people we are trying to help.”

Mr Babalanda drew the attention of the congregation to the increasing numbers of displaced persons and be part of efforts to promote peace and contribute to peaceful coexistence initiatives. These interventions will enable displaced persons to live in harmony and work together to improve their well-being without engaging in conflict amongst themselves.. “It is through conflicts occurring and re-occurring that these numbers are continuing to rise. If nothing is done to address the root causes of conflict, the numbers will continue to increase. Anybody can be displaced if we cannot do anything about it, it may be us someday. That is why we have to take a step with the refugees.”

 As the Sunday service coincided with the International Day for Widows, Mr Babalanda said the majority of the displaced population are women who have lost their husbands as a result of the conflicts.. He said the widows are often left without a breadwinner to fend for their children. He urged the church to continue in the good virtue of supporting the widows especially in livelihood activities to enable them to be able to sustain themselves and their families. “They are facing a lot of challenges and we need to remember the women who have lose their husbands in the insurgency. They are mothers and mothers make a nation.”