By Harriet Tornguvan
Benue State has emerged as a central hub for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria. With around 17 camps housing over 1.5 million individuals, including those residing in host communities, the state faces a monumental challenge in addressing the needs of these displaced people.
The displacement of these individuals stems from ongoing assaults by armed herdsmen, who continue to violate the state's grazing laws. These attacks have forced residents from various local government areas (LGAs) such as Guma, Agatu, Gwer West, Kwande, Makurdi, Logo, Apa, Okpokwu, Buruku, Otukpo, and beyond to abandon their homes and seek refuge in IDP camps.
Despite the current administration's promise to facilitate the return of these displaced persons to their homes, the reality is that they remain confined in camps, relying on the support provided by the state government, compassionate individuals, and organizations.
The living conditions in these camps are dire, with residents grappling with insufficient food and medical supplies, inadequate sleeping arrangements, and numerous other hardships that make daily life difficult.
Amidst these challenges, a significant issue has emerged: a high birth rate within the camps. Despite the overcrowded and harsh conditions, many new babies are being born.
While the arrival of new life is typically a cause for celebration, in the context of IDP camps, it exacerbates existing strains on healthcare services. Newborns face a precarious start to life, with limited access to proper healthcare and nutrition, leading to health complications and malnutrition, as seen recently in the Ortese IDP camp in Guma LGA, where cases of malnutrition among children were reported.
A recent assessment by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the Benue State Primary Healthcare Board, revealed that over 200 babies were born in just one month at the Ortese IDP camp. This finding, part of the Integrated Supportive Supervision (ISS) of the UNICEF/WHO Humanitarian Health Response, underscores the severity of the situation in IDP camps like Ortese and Ichwa in Guma and Makurdi LGAs.
