By Ilam Patricia
The Acting Director General of Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CRS-SEMA) Mr. Princewill Ayim has urged all and sundry not to discriminate against refugees.
He gave the charge today in commemoration of the 2019 World Refugee day which was marked in Calabar, the State capital.
The World Refugee Day 2019 which had the theme “Step With Refugee” according to Mr. Princewill Ayim “is to help us create awareness, to use this opportunity to encourage donors who are inspired to assist and support Government in making sure that the refugees are taken care of.
“We came out here to stand with the refugees to create awareness, we don’t discriminate against refugees in Cross River State.
“As we mark today to show solidarity, to show what the refugees are suffering which symbolises the effort of their perseverance, we hereby solicit that the refugees abide by the law of the land and remain peaceful.” he said.
The SEMA Acting Director General who highlighted few challenges encountered by refugees which includes “identification, economic and security difficulties”, thereby assuring that those issues will be solved in due course.
Also speaking, the United Nations Senior Protection Officer (UNSPO), Ntampaka Clarisse averred that “every region of the world has impacted in some way and today; a volatile mix of political, environmental, economic, ethnic, territorial factors often combine to ignite conflict.
“In emergencies, UNHCR and its partners are on the ground, helping to provide shelter, food, clean water and medical care. Yet it is the people in the local communities who give so much over many years. Solidarity and hospitality is essential, it inspires and moves us to believe that people that thrive together.”
The State Director of Information (Ministry of Information and Orientation) Mrs. Roseline Irek, who also spoke at the event which began with a solidarity walk that defiled the rain and a discussion session at Channel View hotel reiterated that the society will be a better place for everyone if discrimination is minimal.
According to her it’s a collective responsibility by all and sundry.
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