Insufficient Food Supply and Health Challenges among Internally Displaced Persons in North West, Nigeria

Abstract

One of the challenges that have drawn the interest of the global community is internal displacement of people as a result of natural disasters or armed human conflicts or both. The persistent banditry or kidnapping in the North West of Nigeria continues to pose a serious challenge to food security and health challenges of Nigerians in general and the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in particular. It is noted that the vast majority of the IDPs in Nigeria are women and children and by implication they are more vulnerable and trapped in the sphere of hostility which is always accompanied with the challenges of food security and inadequate provision of health care. This study is a qualitative research conducted to investigate the food security and health challenges of IDPs in North West Nigeria and its methodology relies heavily on in-depth interviews and IDPs as key informants. The research established that many IDPs are living in marginal communities and at risk of poverty, hunger, and disease. Thus, the study concluded that banditry and kidnapping are considered as one of the main barriers to food security and health conditions especially among women and children at IDPs who are at a critical point. By implication, IDPs regarded as people living in marginal communities and intensive efforts through legal and political will, are essential to deal with the challenges of growing banditry and kidnapping in the North West Nigeria. Food security and quality health service will become unachievable, particularly for IDPs who are victims of insurgency and also vulnerable and by implication continue to lower Nigeria's ranking in global food security and health indicators. There is the need for urgent intervention through concerned stakeholders, and more efforts need to be put in place by government and humanitarian organizations to tackle the challenges of banditry and kidnapping for improved food security and health conditions.