IDPs, starvation and death

The release of photographs by Doctors Without Borders(MSF),an international organization showing malnourished persons in internally displaced persons IDPs Borno camps has elicited sympathy and condemnation across the country. It is estimated that over 24,000 IDPs are in dire health situation with at least 30 people – mostly children – dying every day. Angered by the […]

The release of photographs by Doctors Without Borders(MSF),an international organization showing malnourished persons in internally displaced persons
IDPs Borno camps has elicited sympathy and condemnation across the country. It is estimated that over 24,000 IDPs are in dire health situation with at least 30 people – mostly children – dying every day. Angered by the released reports and horrible images, Mr President summoned an emergency meeting with the officials of NEMA and SEMA. The purpose of the meeting was to find out what went wrong. Even before this shocking revelation, the IDPs camps in the country have been on the spotlight for corruption related cases involved some government officials. The EFCC chairman, Ibrahim Magu, once said “We have been receiving petition on the corruption in IDPs camps involving government officials and the commission will soon investigate the matter”.
The internally displaced persons have been having unpleasant experiences due to one problem or the other. Although they are supposed to be given a better treatment looking at the circumstances that forced them out of their habitat, the dehumanizing condition they are being subjected to calls for an urgent intervention. These victims of Boko Haram and other calamities are not fed well in the camps. Sadly,the food and other materials send to them by either government or donors are being diverted. No wonder there is reported cases of malnourishment and other ailments ravaging the camps.
The outgoing U.S Ambassador to Nigeria, James Ernwhistle, during the 240th United States independence anniversary celebration cocktail party in Abuja, expressed displeasure on the humanitarian crises in the insurgency ravaged North East geo political zone. He expressed regret on how the IDPs are dying in the country. With the massive onslaught against the deadly Boko Haram insurgents by the Nigerian armies, the IDPs have dim hope that they will soon go back to the their various communities. The ongoing clearance of Boko Haram remnants will pave the way for permanent resettlement of the displaced people. But before then the government should investigate the humanitarian crises in the IDPs camps as reported by concerned international organizations. Also, the menace of corruption in the camps needs to be checked, and those involved punished accordingly.
The IDPs should not be subjected to double suffering. They have lost their loved ones and communities in the hands of insurgents and should not be allowed to die silently in the camps.
Ibrahim Mustapha, Pambegua, Kaduna state   [email protected]   08169056963