In working together for peace, Caritas Nigeria brought together forcibly displaced persons and members of the Uikpam host community in Guma LGA, Benue State, for an engagement focused on promoting peaceful coexistence, strengthening trust and building stronger community relationships, through the support of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and UNHCR Nigeria.
Participants engaged in Ludo, Draft, Ayo, Shiva, cultural dance and football, including a match between IDPs from Umenger and Uikpam and members of the Uikpam host community. Beyond the fun and healthy competition, the activities promoted teamwork, cooperation, mutual respect and unity.
The activity also brought joy, smiles and excitement to the displaced persons throughout the engagement. Some participants shared that the experience made them feel happy and helped them momentarily take their minds off the challenges of displacement. They expressed the desire to see more activities like this, noting that they provide an opportunity to reconnect, feel a sense of normalcy and support their healing.
Participants also received key messages on peacebuilding, tolerance, conflict prevention, dialogue and peaceful approaches to resolving disagreements. Through this community-based engagements, Caritas Nigeria with support from UNHCR Nigeria continues to strengthen social cohesion, promote peaceful coexistence and support more resilient relationships between displaced and host communities.
