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NIGERIAN PEACE SCHOLOR UNVEIL 4-POINT STRATEGY TO RESETTLE IDP’S AT THE 39TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE FULBRIGHT ASSOCIATION AT GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
Nigerian Peace Scholar Unveil 4-point strategy to resettle IDPs in Washington
Efforts to improve care and rehabilitate internally displaced persons in Nigeria took a new dimension as a Nigerian Peace Scholar and member of Nigerian Senate Committee on Constitutional Review- Dr Biola Adimula presented a 4-phase strategy at the 39th annual conference of the Fulbright Association held at George Washington University, United States.
The 4-phase strategy presented on the global platform coveys a comprehensive and sustainable strategy to ending the humanitarian crisis in Nigeria, thereby preventing future escalation.
Adimula stated that large population- overcrowded accommodation in tents, muds, bricks, wooden; lack of structure in terms of care of IDPs, poor access to facilities in IDPs camps; and lack of concrete arrangement for IDPs reintegration are the four broad challenges facing IDPs in Nigeria.
In addressing these challenges, she proposed a four-phase strategy, viz: After-Shock, Stabilization, Empowerment and Reintegration phases of IDPs. She explained that After-shock-IDP-Phase-1 is the immediate period after the occurrence of event and consciousness of severe human and material loses. IDPs at this stage experience trauma and they need psycho-social interventions. Stabilisation-IDP-Phase-2: this is the phase of settlement into a camp/family routine, with predictable system of meeting basic needs. IDPs experience idleness at this stage and they require protection from gender-based violence. Empowerment-IDP-Phase-3: this is the stage of acquisition of vocational and basic management skills towards economic independence. IDPs need to be trained and equipped economically towards self/family sustenance. Reintegration-Post-IDP-Phase: being the phase of coordinated exit from the camp and reintegration into the society as self-sustaining individuals; here the government need to fformulate a comprehensive roadmap for resettlement and integration of IDPs back into the society. According to her, this strategy will bring better streamlined camp management structure for efficient co-ordination; effective management of available inadequate resources only to those in specific need, and efficient control of the flow of people in the camp- from one stage to the other. This development was highly welcomed by the Fulbright Association in Washington.
Adimula is a Peace Scholar at the University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria. She has been working in the area of refugees and IDPs in various parts of West Africa and recorded significant milestones.
