Assessing the effectiveness of government and non‐governmental organization in assisting internally displaced women in Nigeria

Abstract

AbstractMotivationThere is scant information on support systems for internally displaced persons in Nigeria, and none on internally displaced women in the New Kuchingoro camp. This limits the operations of aid agencies and other stakeholders, preventing them from providing targeted assistance.PurposeFirst, it examined the support provided by two government agencies: the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Second, it investigated and examined the support given by non‐governmental organizations, religious organizations, and philanthropists. Third, it analysed the challenges facing these bodies, drew conclusions about the policy implications of the situation in New Kuchingoro, and made recommendations for changes that would improve the lives of internally displaced women in the camp.Methods and approachUsing qualitative research methods, the study investigated and evaluated the various support systems provided by NCFRMI and NEMA to internally displaced women in the New Kuchingoro camp in Abuja, along with some NGOs, religious groups, and philanthropists.FindingsThe study revealed the inadequacy of co‐ordination between government agencies and NGOs in the provision of humanitarian assistance to the New Kuchingoro camp. While these NGOs were willing to provide humanitarian assistance to the women, the lack of administrative support from NCFRMI and NEMA frustrated this objective.Policy implicationsThe government needs to clarify the respective roles of NCFRMI and NEMA with regard to IDPs and relationships with non‐government aid providers, ensure adequate funding for IDPs, stamp out corruption, respect the humanitarian principles of impartiality and neutrality, and ultimately address the underlying causes of displacement.