For Displaced Nigerians in Benue State, Cash Assistance is Saving Lives and Restoring Hope
For Displaced Nigerians in Benue State, Cash Assistance is Saving Lives and Restoring Hope
Back in Tse Iortim Village, the community she was once forced to flee, Shinku Ukusuyol, 55, is finding her footing again with the support of UNHCR's cash for protection programme.
UNHCR helps to save lives and build better futures for the millions of people forced to flee their homes.
UNHCR in Nigeria
Nigeria faces complex displacement situations driven by conflict, insecurity and other protection risks. The country is home to more than 3.7 million internally displaced people, over 140,000 refugees and asylum-seekers, and more than 24,000 refugee returnees. The scale and complexity of these displacement situations continue to drive humanitarian and protection needs across the country.
Working under the leadership of the Government of Nigeria, UNHCR provides protection and emergency assistance, strengthens national systems, promotes inclusion in education, health and livelihoods, and supports durable solutions through voluntary return, local integration, self-reliance and complementary pathways. Working closely with government institutions, humanitarian and development partners, the private sector and affected communities, UNHCR helps ensure that people forced to flee can access protection, essential services and opportunities to rebuild their lives.
What we do
Respond to emergencies
When conflict, violence or other emergencies force people to flee, UNHCR works with the Government of Nigeria and partners to provide timely protection and life-saving assistance. This includes registration and legal documentation, emergency relief items, multi-purpose cash assistance and specialised protection services for women, children and others with specific needs, while strengthening national and local capacities to respond effectively to emergencies.
Protection Interventions
UNHCR works with the Government of Nigeria and partners to safeguard the rights, safety and dignity of refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced people, refugee returnees and stateless persons. Through community-based protection, protection monitoring, early warning mechanisms, refugee status determination and support for legal identity, UNHCR also promotes access to national health, education and social protection systems and strengthens peaceful coexistence with host communities.
Pathways to Solutions & Self-Reliance
UNHCR works with the Government of Nigeria, development partners, the private sector and communities to help refugees and other forcibly displaced people rebuild their lives and become more self-reliant. This includes supporting voluntary return, local integration, livelihoods, financial inclusion and skills development, creating opportunities for people to support themselves and contribute to their communities while advancing longer-term solutions to displacement.
Need help?
Find information and services for refugees, asylum-seekers and stateless persons
100% of your Zakat goes to Nigeria’s most vulnerable families
Your Zakat can help vulnerable internally displaced Nigerians restart their lives.
UNHCR’s Refugee and IDP Zakat Fund has delivered life-saving assistance to the most vulnerable displaced families around the world. This year, Zakat donations received by supporters in Nigeria will go directly to the most vulnerable IDP families in Nigeria.
could provide 2 internally displaced families with farming assistance in Nigeria.
could provide a business start-up kit to 1 internally displaced person in Nigeria.
could provide an emergency shelter to 1 internally displaced family in Nigeria.