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IOM Vision
IOM aims to support the transition towards comprehensive, evidence-based, longer-term solutions for displacement in close collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria, partners, communities, and populations on the move, to deliver life-saving assistance while improving the resilience of the displaced population and local communities.
Context analysis
The result of the conflict in the North East and North West zones of Nigeria, remains a large-scale humanitarian and protection crisis and one of the most severe in the world characterized by forced displacement and human rights violations. Over 13 years, the crisis has impacted the lives, livelihoods, and well-being of millions of people. In addition to the armed conflict in the North East and farmer-herder conflicts/criminal activities in the North West, climate change effects in the form of more intense floods, droughts, heat waves among other hazards have increased vulnerability in Nigeria and triggered internal displacement. The protracted armed conflict occasioned by the activities of the non-state armed groups (NSAGs) in the North East part of the country and the counter-insurgency operations of the national security forces have led to insecurity and heightened protection challenges for women and girls. Their protection needs are immense, as they lack adequate protection and access to basic services, and are at risk of violence, abduction, rape, gender-based violence, forced and child marriage, food insecurity, weakened basic socioeconomic services, destruction of the health system, and other violations of their rights. Child protection concerns are also enormous, especially for unaccompanied and separated children, and those formerly associated with armed groups or forcefully recruited to participate in the conflict.
According to IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) Displacement Report Round 45 (June 2023), a total of 2,295,534 IDPs from 471,346 households, and 2,075,257 returnees from 341,895 households were identified in camps and host communities in the North East. According to the report, 20 per cent (459,107) of the displaced populations are women and 32 per cent (734,571) are girls. Also, DTM assessments round 11 conducted in March 2023, identified 1,190,293 IDPs in 191,688 households across the eight states covered in North Central and North West Nigeria, representing an increase of 102,418 individuals (9%) compared to the 1,087,875 IDPs identified during the last Round of assessments, conducted in October 2022. The State of Katsina hosted the largest share of IDPs in North West Nigeria. An estimated 252,268 IDPs (or 21 percent of the total IDP population) were identified in the State of Katsina.
Furthermore, Nigeria's Humanitarian Response Plan 2023 reveals that 8.3 million people in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY) states are in need of humanitarian assistance. As of June 2023, approximately 140,000 individuals have departed from the non-state armed group (NSAG’s) influence areas and migrated to transit centres established by the Borno State Government. In addition to this, the 2022 closure of camps in Maiduguri and Jere Local Government Areas (LGAs) has exacerbated hardships and risks for IDPs, leading many to relocate to nearby towns (DTM Camp Closure Flash Report II, 16 January 2023). The limited space and trenches in these LGAs has resulted in congested conditions for IDPs and host communities, and the continuous influx of IDPs from previously occupied areas or closed camps further strains the public service delivery and infrastructures. IDPs in camps and host communities face limited access to basic services, crowded living conditions, and protection risks due to conflict-induced displacement and inadequate services in the North East.
In view of the above, a multi-sectoral needs assessment done under the DTM Report Round 43 (February 2023 Report) identified urgent priorities, including data collection, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) camp coordination and camp management (CCCM), health, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), protection, shelter, and non-food items. Similarly, in the North West, DTM Displacement Report Round 12 (December 2023) shows 189,643 IDPs in camps and 886,250 in host communities. The main driver of displacement in the region is escalating conflicts due to historical ethno-social tensions and environmental degradation. Originating in Zamfara state, the crisis has spread to Katsina, Kano, Sokoto, and Kaduna. The instability in the region is further exacerbated by the economic decline, with highest poverty rates in the country, farmer-herder conflict, criminal activities, competition for scarce natural resources, and cross-border illegal arms trade.