Mrs. Damtien Tchintchibidja, Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, emphasizes the importance of addressing irregular migration, terrorist attacks, trans-border crimes, farmer-herder conflicts, human trafficking, and political violence in the sub-region.During a workshop on Experts in Migration, Humanitarian Affairs, and Health Specialists in Abuja, Mrs. Damtien Tchintchibidja emphasized the urgency of establishing a contingency plan to effectively manage displaced individuals within the ECOWAS region.Mrs. Damtien Tchintchibidja noted that it is not only crucial to address the existing challenges faced by returning African migrants, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and asylum-seekers in the ECOWAS region but also a shared responsibility of the ECOWAS regional body and the West African Health Organization (WAHO) to respond to alerts and devise potential solutions.During a workshop in Abuja, Mrs. Damtien Tchintchibidja, Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, expressed the Commission’s commitment to go beyond assessments and ad hoc humanitarian actions. The plan is to collaborate with the West African Health Organization (WAHO) to develop a contingency plan for effective handling of humanitarian emergencies and related health risks.
Tchintchibidja stressed the need for proper planning, coordination, resource mobilization, and collaboration with Member States and existing partners in the humanitarian and health sectors to address issues such as irregular migration, terrorist attacks, trans-border crimes, farmer-herder conflicts, human trafficking, and political violence.
Dr. AISSI Melchior Athanase, the Director-General of WAHO, highlighted the consequences of the migratory crisis and armed security crises leading to population displacements. He emphasized the need to strengthen national health systems, enhance the capacities of health systems, and frame the support actions of WAHO and ECOWAS to Member States through a contingency plan.
The workshop brought together key stakeholders, including the ECOWAS Commissioner for Humanitarian Development and Social Affairs, Professor Fatou Sarr, and the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) Regional Representative and Head of Abuja, Momodou Lamin Fye. The event was organized by Dr. Virgil Lokossou, Executive Director of the ECOWAS Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control (RCSDC), representing WAHO, and Dr. Ugbe Sintiki, Director of Humanitarian Affairs, representing the ECOWAS Commission.