We lost an IDP...

Yesterday, 28th December, we lost Hauwa Ayuba, a 5-year-old IDP born to the family of Ayuba Luka, Agibo by tribe, from Gwoza LGA of Borno State. Hauwa was displaced, alongside her family, from Gwoza LGA.

The family left the IDP camp in Yola on 13th December and arrived Stefanos Zang IDP Camp, Bukuru on 14th. Upon arrival, the girl appeared malnutrished and efforts were made to ensure she recovers; but things didn't go well. Today, around midday, Hauwa was referred to the Plateau Hospital but she died upon arrival.

This death was reported to me by Mr. Mark Lipdo of Stifanos Foundation (SF). This Foundation sets up and manages some of the IDPs settlements in FCT, Nasarawa, and Plateau.

When we returned from Yola after our November visit, I recall complaining about how malnutritioned these IDPs were and the need for more vigorous food intervention, including food supplements. The Camp Commandant of the Yola camp particularly told me they had food, but what I saw didn't confirm this assertion. He was covering up. Now, the death of this innocent child confirms his lies. My fear: how many more are now on the death list due to malnutrition? How many can we safe?

Now, if the less than 2% of the IDPs in Adamawa State that are in the only government-managed camp are not properly cared for to the extent of recording deaths due to malnutrition, then what happens if the other IDPs that are outside of the camp move to the camp? When we visited Yola last month, we were told that 13 people had died within a short time since they arrived at the camp.

There is indeed urgent need to look into an holistic humanitarian response for IDPs in Nigeria and Nigerian Refugees outside Nigeria, particularly those in neighbouring countries - Chad, Niger, and Cameroun. The government of these countries always complain of how daunting it is to cater for Nigerian IDPs. Oftentimes, Nigerian IDPs are turned down from entering these camps as they are over-full.
It is such a shame that we are loosing IDPs to malnutrition.

What should be considered? What should be done? We definitely cannot continue to loose innocent lives.

Thanks and well done all.