Hollywood Actress Sienna Miller Visits IDP Camp In Maiduguri

Hollywood actress, Sienna Miller has called on the government of Nigeria and the world not to forget the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the country.

The actress made this call after visiting the IDPs in Borno, North-east of Nigeria on Monday.

She decried the deplorable state of the IDP camps, before calling on wealthy personalities, to support them.

Miller said: “They need food. From what I saw on ground, the first thing they need is food. They are very, very hungry.

“Then, things that are basic to life such as water, health care, protection of their rights, soap, and also skills, so that they can get back on their feet.”

The actress also lamented the formula of food, saying it gave equal proportion of food to families of small and larger numbers.

She promised to support the IDPs before calling on other global entities to do the same.

“Most of them have hope. They don’t want to give up hope because if they do, it means they have lost everything. I think that is what they have learnt. If they know that we are around them – that somebody is coming and offering them support, that they have not been ignored, and that they are not forgotten – they would be very encouraged. And we will endeavour to raise more funding and try to support them in anyway we can,” she said.

Guardian reports that the 36-year-old was moved to visit the danger volatile zone because her passion at helping the needy.

“I didn’t mind the danger aspect. I believe this is the part of the world that we need to support. Seeing the programmes that are being run and how desperate the people are, how much in need they are, I am happy that I am making input too,” she said.

Miller who is an ambassador of the International Medical Corps, thinks there is nothing dangerous about Nigerians and hailed the people who are working tirelessly to help these people.

She explained: “I was considering the fact that it is a conflict zone. But we didn’t feel any impact. The focus is really on supporting and providing care. People go to work everyday, delivering aide to people in need. If they can do that every day, why shouldn’t we?

“About 85 percent of the workers are from Nigeria and they risk their lives potentially everyday to help people. So, if I can support in any small way, I will.

“But it is interesting knowing that the refugees are optimistic, they are resilient, they are so brave that you wouldn’t know that they have lost everything, that they were forced out of their homes, that they were trained professionals, who have nothing left.

“Yet, (they are) smiling and gracious, warm and loving. It is really inspiring to be around people who have been in the most unimaginable situations, who have absolutely nothing to provide to you, yet, they have held on to their spirit.”