OPINION: Rescuing traumatised refugees in IDPs

For a nation with conscience, the troubling graphic depiction of life at the Internally Displaced Camps (IDPs) is sufficient to stir emotions.

Lately, some Doctors without Borders visited an IDPs’ camp at Bama in Borno and left to tell the world the story of crass dehumanisation of the living condition of refugees. The pictures of humans, mostly children and women so deprived, traumatised and debased welled up tears.

Incidentally, such pictures trended unrestrained in social media, ending up with the narrative of how detached or rather heartless a nation could be towards the poor and vulnerable. Such had offered a reason for the New York Times to publish a damning report on the careless manner the Nigerian authorities have been handling refugees in different camps.

It is worst when the United Nation’s Children’s Fund (UNICEF) declared that over 3,000 children are separated from their parents at the Bama Camp, while 140 of them are currently on danger list and are being attended to on daily basis by health workers. Succinctly, the gory pictures of hunger stricken underage, sickly and helpless men and women are a hint of what to expect in the event of similar tragedy in any other part of Nigeria.

From almost all parts of Nigeria, the drumbeats of war are getting louder as separatist groups gear for fight with strident campaign for dismemberment of Nigeria.

On daily basis, there are reports of “a catastrophic humanitarian emergency” at the Bama camp which record says accommodate not less than 24, 000 refugees. Some health workers had also reported that close to 30 children die weekly in the camp. Most tragically, over 1, 233 graves, had been dug near the camp so far.

Since the Boko Haram war escalated, statistics have revealed that refugee centres had been built to cater for the victims and are spread over 13 states of the north and Abuja.

The spread is as follows: Abuja (13,481 IDPs), Adamawa (136, 010), Bauchi (70,078), Benue (85,393), Borno (1,534,149), Gombe (25,332), Kaduna (36,976) Kano (9,331), Nasarawa (37,553), Plateau (77,317), Taraba (50,227) Yobe (131,203), Zamfara (44,929).

In each, the issue of food, sanitation, shelter, health facilities and others have continued to raise overwhelming posers. The refugees appeared to have been trapped eternally with near impossibility of plans to get them relocated. Worst still, the refugees could not get the sympathy of the host communities.

From reports, the criminal neglect of refugees in the IDP camps is at the instance of the authorities. Those detailed to offer the refugees’ succour, as reported, took to diverting, the truckloads of food meant for them. Monies had been earmarked for assuaging their plight by both the federal and Borno State governments. Public-spirited religious groups and individuals had also offered monetary and material assistance. Some international donor agencies too had contributed. Yet, certain officials continue to  steal what should be used to bring life to the refugees.

The Borno State government has not earned a pass mark on IDP issue. This is because the refugees have often complained of alienation. The governor, Kashim Shettima is said to be livid with rage on the  humanitarian disaster that the refugees are subjected to.

There are complaints that both the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management (SEMA), have been aloof, though they may seem to have been overwhelmed. All indications thus point towards a seeming pre-determined plot to wear out the refugees. Yet, the narrative on issues with the IDPs must change, at least, for the world not to conclude that Nigeria is peopled by mindless, ruthless, crude citizens.

So far, President Muhammadu Buhari has proved to be the redeeming feature. He  has shown sufficient compassion by moving Nigeria’s war arsenals to the North East, to precipitate the defeat of Boko Haram.

Already, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is in charge of plans to rebuild the war-ravaged zone.

Concerned Nigerians, expect heads to roll, if indeed, cases of sharp practices with the largesse meant for the refugees, by government officials are established.

Buhari’s government deserves some commendations also for backing up the process of rebuilding the North East with the required legislation.

The tears that flow from the eyes of the refugees daily are a form of desperate appeal that President Buhari should come earnestly to their aide and save them from the antics of vampires who pretend to be attending to their needs, while they only serve their selfish interests.