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“The findings of the report are indisputable. When 86 per cent of people tell us they aren’t ready to go home yet, we must listen. This cannot fall on deaf ears,” warned Jan Egeland, NRC Secretary General, who is visiting Nigeria. ”People must decide to return of their own free will. Coercing communities to move home is a deadly recipe set to worsen the conflict.”
Read the report summary: Not ready to return.
The intentions of 27,000 people were solicited for the report, which is one of the largest pieces of research carried out on the displaced population. The report was commissioned by NRC, in partnership with REACH, the Danish Refugee Council and the Protection Cluster in Nigeria.
Over eighty per cent of people who are unwilling to return home in the immediate future cite insecurity as the main reason for staying put. Attacks against civilians are on the rise, and communities feel scared.
The Nigerian military recently gained ground in the fight against the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram. In response, the armed group has stepped up attacks on soft targets, including markets and sites sheltering displaced people.
Many in Nigeria’s government are keen to see communities move back home. “While the end game is for communities to return home, the unfortunate truth is that pushing people back now will have harmful consequences,” said Egeland. “An overwhelming 85 per cent of people living in formal camps tell us they feel safer there than where they were before, despite the deplorable attacks on camps.”
“Today I met a woman in Monguno town who fled her village two years ago after Boko Haram set it ablaze. She’s eager to bring her six children home, but she told me it’s too soon, that the armed group are still present,” said Egeland.
Even if the security situation improves, half the displaced people interviewed say their houses were destroyed in the conflict. 48 per cent of people interviewed do not have information about the current state of their homes, indicating that this figure could be much higher.
The report recommends measures needed before Nigeria’s displaced can return home. Firstly, the overall security situation must improve so communities feel safe. In addition, resources must be channelled into rebuilding homes and re-establishing livelihoods. It is important that displaced communities are involved in developing these programmes.
“People need a roof over their heads and the prospect of making a living, if they are to have any chance of rebuilding their lives,” said Egeland. “We are ready to work with the government to help displaced Nigerian’s return home. But movements must be voluntary, safe and informed.”
- 8.5 million people need humanitarian assistance in Nigeria.
- 1.8 million people are internally displaced in the northeast.
- 80 per cent of the internally displaced are in Borno State, with over half living outside of camps in local communities.
- 220,000 people have fled to Cameroon, Niger and Chad.
- 5.2 million people are food insecure in northeast Nigeria.
- 450,000 children are suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
- 20,000 people have been killed since the start of the conflict 8 years ago.
- Over 4,100 cases of suspected cholera and 56 deaths have been reported.
- At least 57 per cent of schools in Borno State are closed due to conflict.
- The 2017 global aid appeal for Nigeria asking for US1 billion is 64 per cent funded.
- NRC has provided aid to tens of thousands of Nigerians since the start of the year. This includes food, water and sanitation to 40,000 people, shelter for 20,000 people and legal assistance to 18,000 people.
