As the world battle the scourge of Covid-19 pandemic, renowned refugees and internally displaced persons advocate, Dr Biola Adimula has called on Nigeria government to be more proactive in taking measures to ensure good health, welfare and economic empowerment of refugees and internally displaced persons.
Adimula, a law professor at the University of Ilorin in a statement issued in Lokoja to mark the World Refugee Day stated that it is a well documented fact that refugees and internally displaced persons have not been found wanting in contributing their own quota towards global efforts to stemming the tides of the ravaging pandemic.
She said that refugees themselves are contributing in significant ways, despite often living in extremely vulnerable conditions.
“In this COVID-19 challenging time, we have seen a connectedness that transcends borders. Ordinary people have stepped up to help. Host communities especially those in low and middle-income countries where nearly 90 percent of the world’s refugees live have continued to demonstrate a remarkable welcome,” she noted.
According to her “They are, for example, volunteering as front line health workers in Colombia and the United Kingdom; making soap for distribution in Lebanon and Niger; sewing masks and protective gear in Iran; helping construct isolation centres in Bangladesh; and elsewhere around the world, they are contributing time to help the needy in their host communities.”
She said that the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent anti-racist protests have shown us how desperately we need to fight for a more inclusive and equal world, a world where no one is left behind.
“It has never been clearer that we all have a role to play in bringing about change. Everyone, including refugees, can contribute to the society and Every Action Counts in the effort to create a more just, inclusive and equal world,” she stated.
Dr Adimula called for greater global solidarity and action to include and support refugees, internally displaced and stateless people as well as their hosts.
“Whoever you are. No matter where you come from. Every one of us can make a difference,” she noted.
World Refugee Day is celebrated every year on the 20th of June to support millions of families all over the world who have lost their homes and dear ones because of violence or war.
The day was established by the General Assembly of United Nations for the refugees, to honor them for their courage of facing lots of problems after losing homes due to conflict or violence and their contributions to their communities.
