Winifred Ekezie1, Stephen Timmons2, Puja Myles1, Penelope Siebert3, Manpreet Bains4, Catherine Pritchard1. 1. Division of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. 2. Nottingham University Business School, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. 3. Ringgold Standard Institution, School of Health and Social Care, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. 4. School of Medicine Ringgold Standard Institution, Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Armed conflict in Nigeria resulted in more than 2 million internally displaced persons (IDPs). IDPs live in poor conditions lacking basic resources with variable provision across different locations. This audit aimed to determine the health-related resources available to IDPs in camp-like settings in Nigeria and whether these met international standards. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional study approach, information was collected in nine camps across seven states from camp managers, and direct observation in September-October 2016. The Sphere minimum standards in humanitarian crises were used as the audit standards. FINDINGS: The 5 of 15 assessed standards were met to some extent, including the availability of water and shelter. Sanitation and vaccination were unmet in five camps, with severe overcrowding in five camps, and inadequate waste disposal in all camps. Health programme implementation was uneven, and especially poor in self-settled and dispersed settlements. CONCLUSION: Inequality in distribution of humanitarian support was observed across different settings, which could lead to a higher likelihood of water, food and air-related diseases and thereby, a poorer quality of life for IDPs. Ensuring standardized health assessments could promote a more even distribution of resources across IDP locations.
BACKGROUND: Armed conflict in Nigeria resulted in more than 2 million internally displaced persons (IDPs). IDPs live in poor conditions lacking basic resources with variable provision across different locations. This audit aimed to determine the health-related resources available to IDPs in camp-like settings in Nigeria and whether these met international standards. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional study approach, information was collected in nine camps across seven states from camp managers, and direct observation in September-October 2016. The Sphere minimum standards in humanitarian crises were used as the audit standards. FINDINGS: The 5 of 15 assessed standards were met to some extent, including the availability of water and shelter. Sanitation and vaccination were unmet in five camps, with severe overcrowding in five camps, and inadequate waste disposal in all camps. Health programme implementation was uneven, and especially poor in self-settled and dispersed settlements. CONCLUSION: Inequality in distribution of humanitarian support was observed across different settings, which could lead to a higher likelihood of water, food and air-related diseases and thereby, a poorer quality of life for IDPs. Ensuring standardized health assessments could promote a more even distribution of resources across IDP locations.
Authors: Suraj A Abdullahi; Marina Smelyanskaya; Stephen John; Haruna I Adamu; Emperor Ubochioma; Ishaya Kennedy; Fatima A Abubakar; Haruna A Ago; Robert Stevens; Jacob Creswell Journal: PLoS Med Date: 2020-09-09 Impact factor: 11.069