Borno State authorities have plans to shut all remaining camps in the region by 2026, aiming to encourage people to return to their villages, while the question of civilians’ safety still remains unanswered.
The closure of camps for displaced people by the authorities in northeast Nigeria forced many to find refuge elsewhere since the jihadists remain active in the region, although the number of attacks have recently decreased.
As reports by the United Nations show, other camps have been overcrowded as a result of the camp closures. In one instance, the official camp GSSS, which was built to accommodate 25000, is currently hosting 100000.
Food insecurity is an important issue in such conditions, as it is becoming increasingly difficult for many people to feed themselves or their families. The war has devastated the villages, leaving people unemployed, unable to make a living, packed in one place, and relying on aid. However, food aid is becoming scarce, leaving no other option than taking the risk of leaving the town for its outskirts to collect and sell wood or metals or sending their children begging or selling water on the streets to survive these harsh conditions.
According to the UN figures, nearly 4.4 million people face food insecurity in the northeast of the country, while the lack of security is also a serious problem. Some farmers have lost their lives, while road insecurity has also hindered food aid delivery.
Although all these problems exist, Borno State authorities have plans to shut all remaining camps in the region by 2026, aiming to encourage people to return to their villages, while the question of civilians’ safety still remains unanswered.