Prostitution, drug abuse, cholera, COVID-19 fear behind IDP camps’ closure- Zulum
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, on Tuesday, met with international and local non-governmental organizations, as well as civil society groups to explain the state government’s decision to close internally displaced persons’ camps and restrict food aid in the resettled communities.
While addressing the gathering Zulum said, “You are all aware of the horrible situation in the IDP camps in the state, the menace of increasing drug abuse, prostitution, gender based violence, increased risk of epidemics like cholera and meningitis, as well as increased risk of covif-19.
“You are all aware that the Muna camp, for example, is adjudged to be one of the worst camps in the world. In terms of amenities, it is a camp where many of you will not want to keep your dog or a pig”.
“People living in IDP camps are tired and many decided that they wanted to go back to their communities. For example, people rom Nganzai decided to move by themselves and we were told with facts that people were determined to go back and restart their lives with or without the government”.
“In line with the Borno State resettlement plan and the return strategy as agreed by the government and our partners, we set out to voluntarily return and resettle our people where security permits”.
The governor explained that while humanitarian workers were encouraged to continue supporting the IDPs in the camps, the government placed restrictions on food aid in 11 communities, which were rebuilt with the involvement of some foreign humanitarian and development partners, including the United Nations after the communities were identified as safe for civilian reoccupation.
“There are still many people in thousands of IDPs across the state that need help and we need you to continue to work in these camps where you have been working before. We do not wish to create new camps where they do not exist. What is needed is to support people, build resilience and livelihood”, Zulum said.
