With the successes being recorded by the military on the war on terror in the North-East, more Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs) camps have been closed and collapsed.

The Director General of National Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Mohammad Sani-Sidi made the disclosure when he received the Executive Secretary of the newly established Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), Air Commodore Yusuf Anas (rtd), in his office.

He said: “Following the successes being recorded by the gallant Nigerian military who are prosecuting the counter insurgency operation, some IDP camps have been closed or collapsed. In Adamawa State for instance the camps have been collapsed from eleven to six. It is expected that more camps in other affected areas will be collapsed or closed as soon as it is practicable.

“There are currently 22 camps in operation while about 1.4 million IDPs have been recorded by the government. Of this number of IDPs, ninety percent are victims of insurgency while majority of them are from Borno State.”

The DG who described the establishment of the Centre for Crisis Communication as timely said information and communication are critical in disaster management. He stated that NEMA will not only collaborate with centre but be a part and parcel of it, noting that he is encouraged by the caliber of people that will drive the process.

Earlier in his remark, the Executive Secretary of the Centre, Air Commodore Yusuf Anas, rtd., said the core objectives of the Centre is to provide needed support and intervention in crisis information management. He added that “the Centre will also provide coordinated platform for early warning alerts, timely response to crisis situation and sensitisation efforts. The centre will engage in capacity building, research and management of crisis communication.”

He further disclosed that the Centre would soon commence researches on major natural and man-induced disasters in Nigeria with a view to proffering a comprehensive strategy for ameliorating the challenges.

•Photo shows NEMA officials attending to IDPs in a camp.

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