Socio-Economic Consequences of Conflict: The Predicament of Internally Displaced Persons in Benue State

Abstract

The main aim of the study was to examine the conditions of IDPs in Benue State, with other specific objectives. A data was collected from sample of 236,262 IDPs obtained from 3 official camps (Abagena in Makurdi, Gbajimba in Guma, and Anyiin in Logo) and 3 unofficial camps (Agatu, Gwer-West and Anyiin Community LGAs) out of the twenty-eight (6 official & 22 un-official) IDP camps with a population of 483,693 IDPs. Primary data was sourced essentially through oral interviews and Focused Group Discussions (FGD). Secondary data was obtained from published sources. The qualitative analytical approaches of grounded method and hermeneutic analysis were used to analyse the data from interview transcripts and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). These were complemented with descriptive methods. Findings of the study showed that the State Government could only provide shelter and other support for 15% of the IDPs leaving the 85% to fend for themselves. The effects of displacements on the affected rural communities in Benue State were found to include: land grabbing and likely extinction of the rural communities, changes in the demographic composition of the rural communities, economic and political backwardness, among others. In terms of the prevailing conditions in the IDP camps, the findings revealed that all IDPs are facing challenges of accommodation, inadequate food, inadequate employment opportunities, poor clothing, lack of access to quality education and poor healthcare. These have left the IDPs with unfavourable short and long-term impacts which include: homelessness, starvation/malnourishment, diseases, death, etc. Conclusively, though there has been support from both the State and Federal governments and humanitarian assistance from other spirited bodies, more interventions are urgently needed in the areas of shelter, food, clothing, health, education, and access to employment for vulnerable IDP families across Benue State, as they still wallow in pains in their current state of deprivation. The study also recommends that the Benue State government should ensure the implementation of the existing principles, guidelines, and strategies targeting IDPs to alleviate their suffering.