Borno State Government has said that over $20 Million is needed to resettle internally displaced persons.
22 out of the 27 local governments of the state were captured by the insurgents at the peak of the insurgency with about two million people forced to flee into Maiduguri, the state capital and a couple of others taking refuge in neighbouring countries of Niger, Cameroun and Chad.
While addressing a delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) led by its President, Mr. Peter Maurer in Maiduguri, the Borno State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Zannah Mustapha who represented the Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima made this statement.
He said “We, the government and good people of Borno State want to use this opportunity to thank you (Red Cross), NEMA and other donor agencies for supporting us in this our trying moment. 22 out of the 27 local government areas were destroyed, over 1million IDPs are living in Maiduguri, the state capital alone.
“Just yesterday, we received another batches of 4,500 IDPs from Geidam, who were sent away by government of Niger Republic and more are still on their way to Maiduguri.
“Borno state needs over $20 million to resettle it’s people that were displaced as most houses, business centres and places of worship were all destroyed by the insurgents.
“Though, the military has liberated 97 per cent of the communities taken over by insurgents in Borno, it will take time for the government to diffuse the landmines before they are relocated to their various communities.”
Mr Maurer also assured the state government that Red Cross as a Non- Governmental Organisation (NGO) will continue to support IDPs with food and non-food items as well as ensure that they have a healthy living while in the camps.