United Nations migration agency, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), says  arrangement has been concluded towards building permanent shelters for those affected by humanitarian crisis in northeast Nigeria as a final step in the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Plan for the region which was adversely impacted by the over a decade Boko Haram crisis.


Chief of Mission, IOM Nigeria, Laurent de Boeck made this known at a media briefing on Wednesday ahead of the launch of the durable solutions housing project design competition, tagged 'Home After Crisis', in Abuja.


He said: "Since 2015, the North-East of Nigeria has faced escalating violence leading to an unprecedented housing emergency.


"As of 2023, an estimated 3.5 million has lost their homes or lived in precarious conditions.

"Nigeria currently experiences an acute housing deficit estimated at around 23 million, requiring the construction of one million housing units annually for the next 20 years 


He disclosed that the IOM has designed a plan to come to the aid of those affected by this humanitarian crisis through the 'home after crisis' funded by the Nigerian Humanitarian Fund, (NHF). He added that competition which brought together 1,600 designers, architects and engineers across 100 countries was held for the housing project.


He said: “Those architects have developed 250 design proposals for low-cost and innovative housing.The housing competition targets the housing challenges linked to Nigeria's rapidly growing population


"The aim is to provide access to affordable housing built with the goal of delivery climate proof housing with local materials. The housing competition paves way to engage the world in addressing these challenges.”


De Boeck added that the programme hopes to change mindsets and the way humanitarian intervention is perceived as it transits to durable solutions, a gradual shift from the norm.


He said: “We will be doing this in silos. This is a gradual shift from the norm, it looks at how we can move from dependency on humanitarian intervention intervention to sustainability.”


The project coordinator and International Consultant, IOM, Nicola D'addabro, revealed that the project is a process that will take some years to complete.


He said the project also looks at the globally evolving solutions and how to enable the people own the project by being engaged in the process.


IOM Project Manager, Shelter, Davies Okoko, who also spoke at the Presser, said "9, 000 people have transitioned from our camps and camp-like: settings and have settled into homes.


"Their needs are more focused now on heath and education. We have taken care of their immediate needs of housing and we are also providing livelihood. So housing, water and sanitary facilities are provided.