The plight of Kuchigoro IDPs

Internally displaced persons (IDPs) were forcefully driven from their natural or original place of residence or homes through violence. IDPs are forced to leave their homes or they are maimed, and or killed, properties destroyed and their economic source of livelihood decimated. IDP Camps are set up by the government to ensure that IDPs have […]

Internally displaced persons (IDPs) were forcefully driven from their natural or original place of residence or homes through violence. IDPs are forced to leave their homes or they are maimed, and or killed, properties destroyed and their economic source of livelihood decimated.

IDP Camps are set up by the government to ensure that IDPs have secured places to stay in the interim. The camps are temporary shelters to provide initial relief for the victims of the displacement. One of such camps set up or recognized by the government is the Kuchigoro IDP camp close to the Games Village, Abuja. On my visit to the camp, I made some notable but pathetic discoveries.

With a population of 4500 persons, the Kuchigoro IDPs are a mix of persons from Bauchi, Plateau, Adamawa, and over 90% from Borno state. Unfortunately, the population of IDPs does not entirely consist of Nigerians alone; some of them are from Cameroon. However, this might not augur well for the future of the country.

In line with the above, there are little or no provision for social amenities like medical facilities, power and water supply, and educational facilities at least for their wards. The children at the camp are being denied proper education. Although, an educational structure “Nos Vies on Partage School” has been set up. The school operates with minimal educational resources and unprofessional teachers who are volunteers. On the path of the youths, life becomes unbearable, they therefore engage in wayward attitudes such as drug abuse and other such vices.

Ironically, the IDP camp have become a permanent place of tension, strain, vulnerability to diseases, acute malnutrition, and general endangerment rather than a place of temporary succor and relief. Facilities at the camp are poorly built, mostly wooden with smell that chokes; the entire environment makes them vulnerable to countless number of diseases. Malaria, bacterial infections and transmissible diseases, are common with the IDPs in such environment; their psychological and mental health are all at stake.

Mujong Rachel Humwapwa is an NYSC staff at the IPCR, Abuja.