The State of Internally Displaced Persons Camps in Nigeria: A Case Study of Durumi Camp in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria

Abstract

This Investigation was conducted among a small group of IDP population living at the heart of Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, which is the capital city of Nigeria. The study was conducted to determine the living conditions of Internally Displaced Persons in the Camp and their access to basic amenities as action research. It was conducted through an unstructured interview of the sampled population in the Camp to source relevant information. Data was collected by taking notes and recording of interview sessions. Results revealed that 2830 individuals live in the camp, mostly in family units. IDPs in the camp come from the Northeast geopolitical zone of Nigeria in the states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe, with the majority of them from Borno state. They were all displaced as a result of insurgency. This IDP camp is organized with a leadership structure and defined system for the management of amenities such as the health clinic, water supply, allocation of shelter, and sharing of donated items received from philanthropists, the private sector, and other well-wishers. The camp has running water, a clinic for basic health care provision, a borehole, toilet facilities, a store for foodstuff and a security post within 500 metres to 1 kilometre of the Camp.