ASSESSMENT OF THE LIVING CONDITIONS OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS IN CAMPS IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

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Abstract

Internal Displacement is one of the greatest tragedies of our time. The study assessed the living conditions of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in five recognized IDPs Camps in Kaduna Central and Kaduna South Local Government Area(LGA), Gwagwada in Chukun LGA, L.E.A primary school in Maraban Kajuru LGA; Birnin Yaro in Igabi LGA, Zonkwa “mercy camp”in  Zango kataf LGA and ECWA widow training school Samaru Kataf in Zango Kataf LGA camps in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The study presents the demographic characteristics of the IDPs and examined the causes of their displacement. It also examines the physical nature of the camps, as well as identified the nature of support and health provisions for them. Data was generated through the administration of 520 questionnaires to IDPs, in-depth interviews, observation and photography. The questionnaire data was analyzed using descriptive statistics like frequencies, percentages, mean and ranking. The results show that while females dominated the camps, communal conflict was the main cause of displacement, while banditry and farmer herders conflict were other major causes of displacement. Displaced persons were youths 
within productive age; mostly students, farmers and a few Local Government civil servants. Also, over 95% of IDPs practiced Christianity indicating that most were from Christian dominated areas of the state. Water was a major challenge in the camps and affected the quality of toilet facilities in the camps and sanitation practices. Cholera and diarrhea were major health issues plaguing the camps; emphasizing the need for proper sanitation and hygiene, especially as it concerns food safety. Also IDPs occasionally received clothing, food items, matrasses, buckets, toiletries and money as assistance from Non- Governmental Organization(NGOs) which include: Christian Aid, JNI, Resilient Aid and Dialogue Initiative (RADi), Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU); government through Kaduna State  Emergency Management Agency and National Emergency Management Agency KADSEMA/NEMA, National Commission for Refugees, NIMASA; and religious groups including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), as well as individual Church groups. Nonetheless, respondents reported inadequacy of support received as they were occasional while some may have been diverted. Internally displaced persons also experienced trauma and psychological breakdown due to loss of family ties and sources of livelihood, denial of fundamental human rights, and discrimination by host communities. It is recommended that the government should develop and implement responsive legal and budgetary frameworks that are flexible for the social development of internally displaced persons in Kaduna State, with special camps built with facilities in anticipation of internal displacement or similar 
challenges. Also, deliberate attempts should be taken to create pathways for peace while proper mechanisms should be established to ensure that assistance gets to IDPs who need them.