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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
Internal displacement either as a result of conflict or natural disaster in Nigeria is a recurring and large-scale phenomenon. Most parts of the federation have been displaced either in a smaller scale or a larger scale. Internal displacement is a situation caused primarily by conflict, generalized violence, insurgencies, human right violations and natural disasters, whereby residents of the affected community are forced to leave their homes and seek refuge in neighboring communities or neighborhood. Studies reveals that Nigeria accounts for more than one million out of Africa’s nine million people internally displaced from their homes due to armed conflict and generalized violence that have plagued the country overtime especially in the north eastern part of the country.
The issue of displaced persons in recent time has been a global phenomenon and not just peculiar to Nigerian alone. The displacement across the globe is due to communal conflict, natural disaster, internal armed conflicts, border conflicts, ethno-religious conflicts and terrorist attacks. Irrespective of the cause of these displacements, this ugly phenomenon always leaves socioeconomic, political and physical assaults on millions of people worldwide, such as: susceptibility to security and physical threats, loss of lives and properties, loss of contact with children and family members, inadequate and insecure shelter, discrimination in aids distribution, psycho-social stress, sexual and gender-based violence. Other negative implications include loss of personal hygiene,
hampered access to health care, adequate food, water and sanitation, education, employment, lack of access to fundamental services, issue of housing, land and property, and unsafe or involuntary return, local integration or relocation (United Nations Human Rights, 2011). Becoming displaced within one’s own country does not confer special legal status in the same sense as does becoming a refugee. Internally displaced persons in Nigeria remain citizens and continue to be entitled to enjoy the rights available to the Nigerian population as a whole. However, because of their special situation, specific needs and the heightened vulnerability and trauma that results from the fact of being displaced, they are entitled to special protection and assistance (Muhammed, 2013).
Recent happenings in Nigeria show that internal displacement in Nigeria is not only caused by natural and human made disasters, ethno-religious-political conflicts, but mainly due to insurgency especially in the North-East geo political zone of the country. The most critical problem facing Nigeria in general and North-East in particular is insurgency. Insurgency has devastating consequences on economic, religious, political and social activities of the Nigerian state, especially in the state of Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Plateau, Kaduna, Niger, and some others. The activities of these insurgents have been damaging both physically and psychological and economically (Danjibo, 2009, Anifowose, 2012, Abide, 2012, Ilechukwu, 2014). In fact, the activities of Boko Haram in the
north eastern Nigeria have stimulated the other ethnic groups to embark on extra judicial adventures which can lead to anarchy and collapse of the state.
Also, through Boko Haram activities, foreign direct investment in Nigeria has decreased and Nigeria’s investment climate has also been declared risky and expatriates are weary of working in Nigeria due to the unsafe nature of the country. A serious source of concern however lies with internal displacement of persons (IDPS) arising as a result of insurgents invasion of North East geo-political zone in Nigeria. The invasion of insurgent group in the region started in form of socio-political group. In 2011 it took a different dimension, when Boko Haram as terrorist group appeared in the world map. From 2011 till date, the activities of this insurgent group have inflicted grave injuries and hardship to the lives and properties of people in the area and on the economy in general.
Thousands of lives and properties have been destroyed while many people have been displaced from their permanent homes. Boko Haram attacks have undermined public safety across the country especially in the North East Geo-political zone and scared it development. The attack includes daily killings, bombing, and destruction of schools, home and businesses. Also, many villages were annexed and declared “sovereign state” of Boko Haram territory (Daily Trust, 2014). About 3.3 million internally displaced persons (IDPS) exist in Nigeria out of which a regrettable 850,000 are from North Eastern Nigeria. This population approximately represents 10 percent and third of internally displaced persons in the world behind Syria (6.5 million) and Colombia (5.7 million), and highest population of conflict displaced persons in Africa (Premium Times, 2015). The increasing deadly attacks of the insurgents on various communities and the destruction of lives, properties, business and farm lands has forced many inhabitants’ to flee their homes to nearby towns and villages.
This situation called for government urgent intervention to usher in more sober responses to the plight of the internally displaced persons by creating the internally displaced camps so as to alleviate their sufferings. Consequently, the displacement of the Almajiris has raised public health concern that requires immediate intervention. Hence, this study is essential for scientific processes as it suggests possible public health consequences of displacement during a pandemic.
1.2 Statement of the problem
People forced to flee their homes by conflict, violence or disaster are among those most at risk. New data released last month shows that by the end of 2019, more people than ever before – 45.7 million – were displaced within their countries as a result of conflict and violence. A further 24.9 million were newly displaced by disasters over the course of the year (Ubokobong, 2020).
Many of these people find themselves in crowded camps or urban settlements where COVID-19 prevention measures, such as frequent hand-washing and social distancing, are simply not feasible (Bialek et la., 2020). Others may still be trapped by active fighting, making it difficult for them to access medical care. Indeed, we have witnessed hospitals continuing to be targeted in unlawful attacks even as the COVID-19 death toll climbs.
Assistance for internally displaced people (IDP) relies first and foremost on their national governments (Chavis and Ganesh 2020). Unfortunately, the governments of some countries affected by internal displacement may be unable, and sometimes even unwilling, to provide basic health services to the internally displaced. As the pandemic is shown to be creeping towards displacement-affected countries and regions, the inability of individuals to access essential health services merits urgent attention (Chen et al., 2020).
To prevent the virus from taking tens of thousands of lives, countries that are home to IDPs must ensure that these communities are proactively incorporated into national COVID-19 planning, including by ensuring they receive accurate information, appropriate testing, and treatment. At the same time, the world must also come together in solidarity to fight this pandemic – not just as nations or regions, but as a truly international community (Franco, 2014).
Deterring the spread of COVID-19 in displacement contexts is critical but not enough. We need resolute action and solidarity not just in tackling this pandemic but in addressing internal displacement as a whole (Geller et al., 2020).
At the end of last year, the United Nations secretary-general established a High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement tasked with finding ways to better prevent, respond and achieve solutions to internal displacement. As its co-chairs, we believe strongly that the work of the panel, which some have described a “once in a generation opportunity”, must be fully seized. Addressing internal displacement decisively is in our collective best interest (Hai et al., 2004).
Once COVID-19 is defeated, another pandemic may recur. Even if many countries are better prepared and equipped for the next crisis, our interconnected world will never be truly secure against global health threats if millions of people remain trapped interminable displacement in crowded conditions without access to water or safe medical care (Hotez et al., 2009). Their health is our health. Their safety is ours.
1.3 Objectives of the study
The main objective of the study is to examine the conflict management and internally displaced persons phenomenon. The following are the specific objectives of the study:
- Examine the impact Covid-19 on the Social and Family Support of IDP
- Examine the impact Covid-19 on the Mental Health-Related Lifestyle Changes of IDP
1.4 Research questions
- What is the impact Covid-19 on the Social and Family Support of IDP?
- What is the impact Covid-19 on the Mental Health-Related Lifestyle Changes of IDP?
1.5 Justification
In times of crisis, it is easy to hunker down and focus on protecting our own. This is understandable but we must do more. We must think not only about our own families and neighbours but about our global community. The High-Level Panel is redoubling its efforts to find solutions to internal displacement. We hope to continue working together with all stakeholders in the pursuit of this important objective.