Worries over health of young IDPs

Envision Global Care Foundation says young people aged under 18 are a crucial group among millions of internally displaced people in Nigeria, citing a need to better take care of their present—and the future of Nigeria. Programme director for Envision, Diana Eyo-Enoette, said, “To us, it is important that these people are reached out to, […]

Envision Global Care Foundation says young people aged under 18 are a crucial group among millions of internally displaced people in Nigeria, citing a need to better take care of their present—and the future of Nigeria.

Programme director for Envision, Diana Eyo-Enoette, said, “To us, it is important that these people are reached out to, because that is the definition of the future of our country.”

Speaking as Envision presented humanitarian relief aids to residents on camp for displaced people in Karon-Majigi, Eyo-Enoette, said, “If these people are completely isolated or left behind, then the future of our country in terms of health, education and the general wellbeing of our country would be under a serious threat.”

Nearly half of all people internally displaced in Nigeria due to the Boko Haram conflict in the north east are children aged under 18 years.

Envision provides humanitarian support monthly to residents in camps for displaced people in Abuja, but says its target is to provide immediate needs to complement the silos of humanitarian work in health, education, livelihood and skills development.

“That a child goes to school with support of some nongovernment organisation, but doesn’t have shoes to wear, doesn’t have exercise books, is not right,” said Eyo-Enoette.

“From our experience in Durumi [another camp for people displaced from Bama and Gwoza areas of Borno state], children have been going to school but have no assessment. Teachers have been teaching them but nobody is assessing the knowledge they are getting. We provided them books and report cards.”