2m IDPs Lack Essential Services In North East

Over two million internally displaced persons (IDPs) across states in the North East are facing scarcity of essential services.

Resource persons, Dr Robert Onyeneke and Dr Ahmadu Tafida, who disclosed this at a workshop in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, put the total number at 2,367,554 IDPs, forced into displacement mostly by Boko Haram attackers, especially between 2014 and 2020.

Putting the number of IDPs in Adamawa State alone at 223,910, the resource persons said, “A significant number of these IDPs are living with host community families.

“This large number highlights the burden on host communities and the potential strain on resources.”

In their paper presentations at an inception workshop on “Vulnerability to Changes In Water Systems of Conflict-Affected Communities in Adamawa State,” Drs Onyeneke and Tafida said only 18 percent of IDPs have access to safe nutrition services.

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They said, this happens because among other variables, displacement causes disruptions in agriculture and food supply, leading to increased food insecurity.

They noted that IDPs face significant gaps in nutrition and other basic services, but have better access to education for their children.

Reiterating that insurgency attacks and natural disasters are key drivers of displacement, the resource persons recommended proactive measures in disaster management, including implementation of anticipatory actions by government and other authorities to prevent displacement or mitigate its effect.

The inception workshop was organised by International Water Management Institute (IWMI), with support from some other organisations for the presentation of the research paper by the resource persons.

The regional researcher, Climate Adaptation and Governance of IWMI, Dr Okem Andrew Emmanuel, said the workshop in Yola assembled stakeholders involved in the humanitarian sector, particularly those having to do with issues relating to water in the context of fragility, conflict and displacement.