Delegation from

The Federal Republic of Nigeria

Represented by
MacEwan University

Position Paper for High Commissioner for Refugees

The topics set before the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) are: Transforming Refugee Camps
into Sustainable Settlements in the Case of Protracted Displacement; Strengthening the Capacity of
Refugee Host Countries; and Addressing Temporary Displacements Due to Outbreaks and Epidemics. The
Federal Republic of Nigeria believes wholeheartedly in upholding the inviolate principles of this body by
fostering international cooperation in the noted areas, fully aware of the need for comprehensive,
sustainable solutions.
I.

Transforming Refugee Camps into Sustainable Settlements in the Case of Protracted

Displacement

Nigeria reaffirms that all humans have a right to live dignified, meaningful lives as enshrined in Article 1 of
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Accordingly, Nigeria strongly believes in the right of
every person to seek asylum from persecution, noting the affirmation of this right in Article 14 of the
UDHR. As indicated in the UNHCR Policy on Alternatives to Camps and echoed in goal 11 of the Post2015 Development Agenda, the phasing out of refugee camps in favour of sustainable settlements ensuring
that protracted refugees may achieve self reliance as well as social and cultural belonging is instrumental to
the promotion of conditions conducive to human dignity. Where these camps are necessary, they must be
seen as temporary measures and should abide by the practices of the UNHCR Camp Management Toolkit.
Cognizant of the significant challenges caused by the increasing number of internally displaced persons and
cases of protracted displacement, Nigeria strongly endorses A/RES/69/154 and A/RES/69/152 in
emphasizing the need for sustainable, international responses. Encouraged by A/RES/68/143 and as party
to the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in
Africa (Kampala Convention), Nigeria also recognizes the importance of regional efforts in countering
threats to displaced persons and urges states that have not done so to ratify the Kampala Convention.
Nigeria has taken significant strides in fostering regional integration in order to spread economic benefits to
previously excluded populations; this may be seen in bilateral partnerships encouraging sharing of best
practices with Kenya and Niger as well as through the UNHCR Nigeria Regional Refugee Response Plan:
January-December 2015. Recalling A/RES/66/135, which notes the disproportionate number of women
and children facing displacement, Nigeria re-emphasizes the age, gender, and diversity approach as laid out
in EC/63/SC/CRP.14. Demonstrating a resolute commitment to the UNHCR plan, Action against Sexual
and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV): An Updated Strategy, Nigeria has successfully promoted female
involvement in management structures and decision-making positions using SGBV sensitisation
campaigns. Nigeria has also partnered with the American University of Nigeria to establish livelihoodtraining programs giving displaced persons the means for self-reliance. These practices should be expanded
and carried out in collaboration with all stakeholders as highlighted in A/RES/68/141. Ensuring they
represent the needs of the most at risk displaced persons, Nigeria suggests the formation of displaced youth
committees in refugee settlements charged with informing partner entities of the most relevant issues. This
would also serve to integrate displaced youth into the social fabric of host countries. The need for collective
responses is emphasized in the North-East Humanitarian Multi-stakeholder Engagement, which aims to
ensure that all relevant Members are working in the most efficient, coordinated way possible. In order to
transform refugee camps into sustainable settlements, Nigeria believes including displaced persons in
economic and social activities is essential but most be done in a way that benefits host countries. The
expansion of UNHCR Cash Assistance Programs and the endorsement of the UNHCR Education Strategy
would further this end.
II.

Strengthening the Capacity of Refugee Host Countries

Committed to Article 14 of the UDHR and Article 12 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples
Rights, Nigeria strongly endorses the right of persecuted individuals to seek asylum in accordance with the
laws of host countries and international conventions. However, noting EC/62/SC/CRP.18, Nigeria
recognizes the significant economic, environmental, and social impact of refugees on host countries and is

dedicated to finding sustainable, collective solutions. Nigeria calls attention to A/RES/66/135,

A/RES/68/143, and A/RES/69/154, which together reaffirm the primary responsibility of host countries to
respond to displacement issues and to this end, encourages Member States to follow the guidelines of the
Kampala Convention. Aware of the disproportionate number of refugees being hosted in the developing
world as indicated in the UNHCR report, The Role of Host Countries: The Cost and Impact of Hosting
Refugees, Nigeria is hopeful that developed countries will partner with developing countries to both reduce
the burden on and strengthen the capacities of host countries. With the international community serving as
a liaison between Member States, this could be done through bilateral partnerships between host countries
and countries in the developed world. Such arrangements, essentially setting up a system of sister countries,
would ensure targeted aid and reinforce host state capacities. Having noted A/RES/68/141, Nigeria is also
cognizant of the importance partnerships between Member States and non-governmental organizations
(NGOs) play in reducing burdens on host countries as highlighted in the UNHCR report, Working in
Partnership. Cooperative efforts demonstrating this may be seen in the 3-R strategy of rescue,
rehabilitation, and reintegration used by both the African Refugees Foundation and the Save the Children
Foundation where initiatives to create self-reliant refugee camps in order to lessen the burden on host
countries have been implemented. As expressed in the UNHCR report Protection From Xenophobia, it is
imperative to address the negative consequences of xenophobia on refugees. Recalling Article 2 and Article
7 of the UDHR, which together affirm the right of every person to live free from discrimination, policies
that reduce xenophobia against displaced populations will facilitate refugee integration while alleviating
social and economic burdens. To this end, Nigeria recommends utilizing the UNESCO project Coalition of
Cities Against Racism and its networking framework. Based on the sharing of Members experiences to
improve policies against racism, discrimination, exclusion, and intolerance, this program should be
expanded to include refugee settlements and actively engage displaced populations in cultural dialogue.
III.

Addressing Temporary Displacements Due to Outbreaks and Epidemics

As per Article 1 of the African Union Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in
Africa, populations displaced due to the outbreak of disease are entitled to the same UNHCR protection
measures as other refugees. Additionally, aware of the well-established connection between displaced
persons and the spread of disease, Nigeria is dedicated to preventing and treating disease in at risk
populations. The universal provision of basic health services is not only critical in stopping the spread of
disease, but is the right of every person and the responsibility of Member States as affirmed in Article 25 of
the UDHR and Articles 10 and 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Noting the particular vulnerability of women and children as laid out in A/RES/65/193, Nigeria has
partnered with a number of NGOs and other international entities, including the government of the United
States, to ensure the deliverance of health services to isolated at risk populations. This may be seen in the
Global Health Initiative Strategy, which uses existing relationships between the Government of Nigeria
and a range of actors, such as the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, to provide a more
efficient, far reaching delivery system. Drawing attention to the UNHCR Global Strategy for Public
Health, Nigeria recognizes the utmost importance of coordinated early warning systems in order to curb the
spread of disease. Member States should thus follow the guidelines in the UNHCR Document, Epidemic
Preparedness and Response in Refugee Camp Settings. However, this is only possible if Member States
have the required mechanisms for outbreak recognition supported by the sufficient infrastructure for the
testing and researching of diseases. For this reason, Nigeria has partnered with The West African Infectious
Disease Institute in order to improve locally led research, promote findings to encourage strong health
policy, and ensure effective health care programs. As reiterated in the Global Health Initiative Strategy,
working with the private sector to provide the best care possible for the greatest portion of the population is
essential; to this end, Nigeria has worked collaboratively with private entities with more than 70 percent of
all secondary facilities and about 35 percent of primary healthcare facilities being private. Nigeria
encourages Member States to integrate their warning systems with the Global Outbreak Alert Response
Network in order to promote coordinated, efficient responses. Emphasis should also be put on research
initiatives and education in order to increase health awareness as well as inform at risk populations of
disease indicators. Recognizing displaced youth as a particularly vulnerable population as documented in
A/RES/58/150, Nigeria proposes a UN led disease specific awareness campaign that utilizes university
partnerships to bring health education to at risk populations, specifically those in refugee settlements.