The United Nations expert on internally displaced
persons (IDPs), Chaloka Beyani, has called on the
Nigerian Government and the international
community to take urgent humanitarian measures to
save lives and ensure the protection of hundreds of
thousands of IDPs in the north-east of the country.
Speaking after a four-day visit to Nigeria, Mr Beyani
described the situation resulting from the Boko
Haram terror campaign and Government counter-
insurgency measures as “displaying all the hallmarks
of the highest category crises.”
“We are only starting to get a grip of the gravity and
extent of the crisis, as civilians, including children,
leave newly liberated areas. They bear the signs of
advanced malnutrition, and of deep trauma, having
been caught in a conflict that has cost them their
homes, their livelihoods and often their family
members,” said Mr. Beyani. The expert noted that the
fighting has created more than 2.5 million IDPs in the
region.
“The situation must no longer be downplayed and it
is not too late to save many lives. But to do this, the
Government must act urgently to ensure that food,
shelter, medical care, water, sanitation and other
essential services reach IDPs without delay. Due to a
gross underestimation of the crisis, the existing
supplies will only cover needs for a very short period
of time and will be soon outstripped by demands in
the weeks or months ahead,” he said.
According to the UN expert, “the vast majority of
IDPs live outside camps and receive little or no
assistance. Urgent steps are required to identify
those people and assess their needs, particularly
those of the most vulnerable, as well as the needs of
host communities who are supporting them with
their own resources.”
The Special Rapporteur, who visited IDP camps in the
Maiduguri area, highlighted that many people within
camps in newly liberated areas may be faring little
better. “Food is scarce and many survive on one
basic meal per day while medical care is insufficient.
Civilians also require urgent protection, psychosocial
support and counseling,” said Mr. Beyani.
“Humanitarian agencies have little access to some
areas due to security concerns and have been
targeted by Boko Haram, whose terror activities have
been contained by the Nigerian military but still pose
a significant threat and danger,” he stated.
“Camps should offer protection. Yet I am alarmed to
learn that many are in fact the settings for
exploitation and abuse of the most vulnerable.
Reports indicate that women and girls face demands
for sex to access food or to leave the camps. Early
pregnancy and marriage are commonplace while
many do not report abuse due to stigmatization,
cultural factors and the knowledge that perpetrators
can abuse with impunity. Protection measures must
be stepped-up and camps must quickly come under
trained civilian management to prevent abuses,” he
said.
The Special Rapporteur acknowledged several
positive measures taken by the Government such as
a plan for rehabilitating the north-east and the
establishment of oversight systems by the
Parliament. However, he expressed concern about
the lack of international attention and resources to
meet the immense needs in the region. He called on
donors to provide generous support to meet
immediate needs and to enhance their long-term
support, to ensure the return, reconstruction and
durable solutions for IDPs as well as stability and
social cohesion in the region.
The Special Rapporteur thanked the Nigerian Federal
Government and the Borno State Government for
their cooperation with his mandate. He will produce
a full report and recommendations to be presented
to the Human Rights Council in June 2017.