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By: Abdullahi Inuwa
Launches Comprehensive Policy and Action Plan for Sustainable Reintegration
The Katsina State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has officially launched a State Policy and Action Plan aimed at resettling over 270,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) back to their ancestral homes across all 34 local government areas of the state.
The initiative, unveiled during a town hall meeting in Katsina, outlines a strategic framework designed to restore dignity and provide sustainable support to thousands of families affected by insecurity, environmental disasters, and communal violence.
The 45-page policy document focuses on the protection, assistance, and integration of displaced persons, in line with national protocols. Meanwhile, the State Action Plan emphasizes the provision of essential infrastructure and services, including housing, education, healthcare, and livelihood support.
Dr. Abubakar Imam, a representative from the Academic Lisson Solid Project, presented a breakdown of the action plan, noting that Katsina currently has an estimated 270,000 IDPs displaced due to armed banditry, herder-farmer clashes, floods, and desertification. He revealed that 36,288 households have been directly impacted by these crises.
“Hotspot areas such as Batsari, Faskari, Kankara, Sabuwa, and Danmusa have borne the brunt of repeated attacks, leaving many families without access to basic needs such as education, healthcare, food security, and safe housing,” Imam stated.
The plan includes the construction of 2,389 gender-sensitive housing units, 10 solar-powered primary health centres with WASH facilities, and 63 inclusive basic education schools. Additionally, over 30,000 returning households will receive farming tools, vocational training, and financial grants. A goal has also been set to enroll 60 percent of displaced children in school.
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, represented by Deputy Governor Faruk Lawal, reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to implement and fund the policy to ensure its long-term success.
“This comprehensive policy is our response to the humanitarian crisis caused by conflict, poverty, and climate change,” said Lawal. “We are determined to transform displacement from a source of despair into an opportunity for healing and rebuilding lives.”
Maryam Musa, the state’s focal person for the initiative, described the policy as a landmark framework aligned with national and global standards. She emphasized its core pillars, including prevention, protection, durable solutions, accountability, and inclusive governance.
“This is not just a document—it’s a commitment to restoring dignity and enabling displaced citizens to thrive again in their communities,” she added.
The new initiative marks a significant step towards building a more resilient and inclusive Katsina, where displaced persons can return home with hope, safety, and opportunity.
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