1.0 Background and Current Situation
Since 2013, several communities in Borno states have come under constant attacks by the Boko Haram (BH) insurgents leading to displacement, death, destruction of property and means of livelihood. With the renewed efforts of the military, the insurgents have been pushed to the fringe while more communities have been liberated. The liberation of more communities has further swollen the number of IDPs that are received both in Maiduguri metropolis and the neighbouring LGAs. The humanitarian partners are currently providing humanitarian assistance to IDPs in both camps and host communities with the collaboration of the National/State Emergency Management Agencies.
On 23 February, under the coordination of OCHA, a fact finding mission was carried out in Kaga and Konduga with the aim of gathering information on the needs arising from the insurgency activities, and informing the humanitarian response. A checklist/questionnaire was developed and the assessment teams, drawn from the UN agencies and NGOs, visited (Auno and Jakana) in Konduga LGA and (Ngamdu, Mainok and Benishek) Kaga LGA. The list of informants included: teachers, youths, IDPs, health worker, military, government officials, community leaders, opinion makers, women, men and youth.
2.0 Brief Description of Kaga and Konduga LGAs
Kaga is one of the Local Government Areas of Borno State with its headquarters in Benishiek. It has a population of 90,0151. It is located along Maiduguri – Damaturu road. Kaga is one of the worst hit LGAs in Borno State. Some villages in Kaga such as Benishek, Makintamari, Mainok and Ngamdu have experienced repeated attacks, gruesome killings and wanton destruction of houses and property by the insurgents. On September 19, 2013, Benishek was the scene of a massacre by BH where over 159 residents were killed2. In addition, BH has made repeated attempts to block the Maiduguri – Damaturu road; in most cases, road users and villages along this axis have been caught in cross fire between the military and BH.
Konduga LGA is located about 25 km to the southeast of Maiduguri, situated on the north bank of the Ngadda River. The population of the Konduga LGA is about 13,400. In September 27, 2015, at least nine people were killed and several others injured during an attack on Mailari village of Konduga Local Government Authority (LGA) in Borno State. Also on March 4, 2014, 11 people were killed in Jakana village3 Boko Haram members also attacked and killed 25 people in Mainok village in 20154.
3.0 Key Findings
Affected Population
The affected population in the communities visited are mixed. They comprise of IDPs that have returned to their areas of habitual residence and those that are not directly affected by insurgency but fled their areas of origin due to insecurity and the activities of the military. For instance, the community leaders interviewed in Kaga indicated that the military often gives.instructions to people in neighbouring communities to vacate their communities to enable themroot out the insurgents. This action has invariably increased the influx of IDPs into their communities.
The team observed that most of the displaced families reside both in spontaneous settlement/informal camps and with host families. The team visited two unofficial camps in Benishek (Government Girls Secondary School-GGSS and Government Technical Secondary School GTSS). GGSS was set up by the Government as an informal camp. It hosts IDPs from some liberated communities around Benishek which include Galangi, Zakurari, Shettimari, Burma, Jalori, shettimanuri and Walari. GTSS on the other hand hosts over 1500 IDP who are mostly from Kaga LGA.
Alajere is a spontaneous camp with about 20 HHs. The IDPs arrived in the camp about five to seven months ago after an attack on their community; women and children arrived first from Gwatala village which is approximately 30 km from Ngamdu town. Some IDP families are also hosted in the Ngamdu hospital; most of them were displaced Burmoa, Kodo, Shedimah and Shitiri villages.
The overall analysis of these camps illustrates limited or lack of response of both government and non-governmental aid agencies. The increasing number IDPs from areas of operation of the military require very well managed services and a co-ordinated relief response. It seems very obvious that the camps are over stretched and living conditions cramped, and sanitation facilities dismal. Based on discussion with the IDPs there was little or no supply of food, leading to deteriorating health conditions among the IDPs, especially children, pregnant and lactating mothers.