An assessment of environmental awareness of internally displaced people in the north east of Nigeria

Abstract Background In the North-East of Nigeria, an 11-year insurgency resulted in displacement of 2.1 million people. This study examined the environmental awareness of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in two States (Borno, Taraba States) in the region to determine whether environment factors may have contributed to their displacement. 2 aspects of the environment were studied i) Water quality & sources ii) Land cover. Methods Focus Group Discussions were held with IDPs in 2 camps per State. The target groups interviewed were; Adult men, Adult women, Traditional Leaders. Results When asked of the quality of drinking water in their homeland, all the Traditional Leaders in Taraba State said the water was not clean, polluted or harmful. Adult Women in the same camp said: “We get water from the river shared with cattle, this led to crises between us and the herdsmen.” “Our water is polluted due to the death of frogs”. When asked of landcover/trees etc. and the environment in their homelands, some Taraba camp Leaders said, “Trees are being constantly cut for firewood.” When asked if there were changes in their homeland environment in the last 10 years; the predominant response was that there was reduced land cover. In addition, water sources and quality has reduced. Conclusions The IDPs in the 2 States are aware of environmental changes in the last 10 years, Taraba was characterized by dwindling tree/land cover, and changes in water quality as a result of drying with sharing water sources with cattle. Displacement was directly as a result of invasion of Herdsmen. Borno is characterized by loss of tree cover with flash floods occurring, the cause of displacement is the Boko Haram insurgency. Recommendations: Validate findings by further studies on the environment in the region, especially conflicts related to water scarcity and implications for displacement. In addition, increase efforts to prevent deforestation resulting from climate change and displacement. Key messages Environmental protection systems should be set up and enforced by State government. Internal displacement in Taraba is from environment related causes with attendant negative impact.