By Lizzy Okoji
#TrackNigeria: The UN Migration Agency (IOM) has revealed that ongoing conflicts in insurgency affected states of Nigeria’s North-East have continued to trigger movement of displaced persons and increased malnutrition in children.
The IOM made this known in its Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) report for Nigeria made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja.
The DTM report indicated that 1,606 movements were recorded between Feb. 18 and Feb. 24, including 1,505 arrivals and 101 departures
among Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North East.
It stated that arrivals were recorded at locations in Askira/Uba, Bama, Chibok, Damboa, Gwoza, Jere, Konduga, Maiduguri, Mobbar and
Ngala local government areas of Borno.
It listed other locations of arrivals to include Demsa, Fufore, Maiha and Numan local government areas of Adamawa.
The DTM report also noted that departures were recorded at Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno, as well as in Demsa, Fufore, Maiha and Numan local government areas of Adamawa.
It added that the Emergency Tracking Tool (ETT) assessments identified ongoing conflicts (53%), voluntary relocation (27%), poor living conditions (8%), fear of attacks (8%), improved security (3%), and military operations (1%) as some of the movement triggers.
It stated that an exhaustive screening using Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) and Oedema for acute malnutrition was conducted by sector partners for 199 children between six months and 59 months (six years).
It revealed that of the 199 children, six children from inaccessible communities had severe acute malnutrition, 19 were moderately malnourished, while 174 of the children were nourished.
The report stated that no case of Oedema was reported in the four local government areas that sent reports.
It indicated that results also included 18 children from neighbouring countries, 15 from Bama and three from Ngala in Borno, noting that of all the 18 children measured, one child was severely and acutely malnourished.
The DTM stated that 16 children were nourished, the remaining one child was moderately malnourished and children found with acute malnutrition were admitted in the treatment programme.
It added that “in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno, 564 arrivals were recorded and they included 563 arrivals from Bakin Kasuwa in Doro ward and one arrival from Kasuwan Katako in Baga ward of Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno.
“The new arrivals reported to have relocated due to ongoing conflicts.
“In Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno, 308 arrivals and 19 departures were recorded, while 117 arrivals were recorded from Fulatari in Gujba ward of Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe.
“Eight of the arrivals were from Pantami ward of Pantami Local Government Area of Gombe State, 174 arrivals from Kwipaya in Zadawa ward of Askira/Uba Local Government Area tracked at Hausari in Zadawa ward of Askira/Uba Local Government Area.
“Nine arrivals from Anguwan Sarki in Askira East ward of Askira/Uba LGA tracked at Leho in Zadawa ward of Askira/Uba LGA, 14 departures from Gatamarwa ward of Chibok LGA and 5 departures from Ajari in Hausari/ Gadamayo ward of Gwoza LGA of Borno state.
“A total of 56 per cent of the new arrivals reported to have relocated due to the ongoing conflict, 38 per cent due to fear of attacks, 3% due to improved security while 3% relocated voluntarily. The departure was due to poor living conditions.
“From Ngala LGA, Borno State, 283 arrivals were recorded which included 206 arrivals from Gura on Makari ward of Marwa in Cameroon and 77 arrivals from Rann ward of Kala Balge LGA in Borno state.
“73 per cent of the new arrivals were reported to have relocated due to poor living conditions and 27% due to the ongoing conflict,’’ the DTM revealed.
It added that 76 arrivals were recorded in Bama, Borno, namely; 13 from Wudula and Buduwa wards tracked at GSSSS camp and Banki IDPs camp in Bama Local Government Area.
It stated that still in Bama, 23 arrivals from Darajama ward and four from Soye ward, seven from Jango in Dure ward of Gwoza Local Government Area and 29 arrivals from Mokolo ward of Marwa in Cameroon were also recorded.
According to the DTM, 45 per cent of the new arrivals reported relocated due to poor living conditions, while 55 per cent relocated voluntarily.
The conflict in the Lake Chad Basin Region led to displacement of over seven million people across the region, with 1.8 million IDPs from the worst affected states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe. (NAN)
