Geneva Health Forum 2024

Baseline Assessment of Health Services and Living Conditions of IDP Camp Residents in Nigeria

Not scheduled

15m

Geneva

Oral presentation or scientific poster Migration, health and equity

Description

Introduction

There are over 3 million IDPs in Nigeria, with many living in crowded and inadequate conditions. The Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) crisis in Nigeria has been ongoing for many years, with the most severe displacement occurring in the northeast region of the country mainly because of the Boko Haram insurgency. According to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), there were an estimated 3.4 million IDPs in Nigeria as of December 2021, making it the country with the second-highest number of IDPs in Africa after the Democratic Republic of Congo. A large number of internally displaced persons in the country live in IDP Camps, and little is known about their access to health services and living conditions. This study therefore provided information on this subject matter. The objectives of the study were to:

• Assess the demographics and population characteristics of the IDP camp
• Evaluate the living conditions and access to basic services within the IDP camp
• Investigate the psychosocial well-being and protection needs of IDP camp residents
• Identify the immediate and long-term needs of IDP camp residents

Methodology

A descriptive cross-sectional survey was adopted which consisted of a quantitative and qualitative aspect. For the quantitative aspect, a pre-tested questionnaire was administered to respondents while the qualitative aspect used interviews to gather baseline information on basic services available to IDPs. A total number of 150 respondents were surveyed for the quantitative aspect, while 4 key informant interviews and 2 focus group discussions were conducted with camp residents

Results
The mean age of study respondents was 30 years and 75% were identified as females. A large number (60.5%) had primary education and (55%) were unemployed. Without any form of surprise, a greater proportion (90.5%) were displaced as a result of conflict and had been living in the IDP camp for 3 years. In terms of the living conditions assessed, (55.5%) had no access to water in the camp and (60.5%) claimed available sanitation and toilet facilities were in a deplorable condition. Similarly, (70.5%) also claimed shelter provided was not ideal. Furthermore, 45% of the respondents stated that food items, vocational programs, vaccination services for children and ante-natal services were inadequate at the camps. In addition to this, (70.5%) stated that they do not have access to secured lines to report cases of GBV or other forms of abuse in the camp and also expressed the non-existence of psychosocial support.

Discussion

The result of this study revealed the gap and neglect in essential service provision to IDP in Nigeria. With a growing number of IDPs in the country due to conflict, it is important to ensure that services are extended to this marginalized group

Conclusion

This study found a huge gap in service provision to IDPs in Nigeria. It is important that government and other entities address this issue by ensuring health and basic facilities are provided the IDP camps in Nigeria