North-east, a Conglomerate of Garrison Towns, MSF Alleges
Michael Olugbode
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) otherwise called Doctors Without Borders has described the northeast Nigeria as a conglomerate of “garrison towns,” that has further been traumatised by internally displaced persons, mostly children.
MSF, in a statement yesterday by its Field Communication Manager in Borno, Yuna Cho, said children in displaced camps needed urgent attention.
“So-called ‘garrison towns’ are located throughout the north-east Nigerian countryside, where entire towns or enclaves are now managed by the military and camps for displaced people have been set up.
“Since December 2016, MSF has provided comprehensive healthcare and protection activities in the towns of Gwoza and Pulka in Borno State, for people who have fled the conflict between the military and armed opposition groups, and the harrowing violence that has been ongoing in this region for a decade. Children in displaced camps are in need of immediate protection,” Cho said.
MSF Advocacy Manager in Nigeria, Severine Eguiluz, who also spoke about the urgent need to address the challenges of the displaced people, noted that MSF has been facing a lot challenges to provide the people with the necessary protection, especially children who have lived most of their lives in the protracted conflict.
“Along with water, shelter, food and healthcare, protection is a basic need for displaced people. When they arrive in the camp, they have already gone through many traumatic events. They have been victims of violence and survived sexual assaults. They have witnessed loved ones abused and killed; their houses have been damaged and burnt down; and families have been separated from each other. For vulnerable groups, such as femaleheaded families or unaccompanied children, immediate protection is needed as soon as they arrive to avoid exposing them to any further risks of violence.
“For children, growing up in the middle of a conflict completely changes their lives in the long- term. They have no access to school or healthcare, and do not get proper nutrition or vaccinations. There is also a chance of being orphaned, and for girls, there is the danger of being forced into marriage. For young girls, there is the added risk of difficult deliveries if they become pregnant.