Nigeria: DRC Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Survey Report

Nigeria’s northeast is currently experiencing a significant humanitarian crisis, which has resulted from the ongoing counter-insurgency operations being conducted by the Nigerian armed forces and MNJTF against Boko Haram. High insecurity in the region has made access to populations in need of assistance and protection extremely difficult for humanitarian actors. While Boko Haram lost territory to security forces easing access to some areas in 2015, the government counter offensive overall has hampered humanitarian access. In parallel, displacements continue with movements of return initiated by the Government from Adamawa to Borno while IDPs continued to arrive in camps in Adamawa.

As the counter insurgency operations have intensified, many civilians are caught in the conflict resulting in serious protection risks and violations, particularly in Borno State. While large areas of territory have been recaptured by the Nigerian army, the insurgency continues to target civilians in villages, IDP camps and urban centres including markets, education facilities, places of worship and health facilities. Large areas of Borno remain unsafe and inaccessible. It is therefore expected that during the programme timeframe, the following will unfold: a) Protracted displacement in urban centres, principally Maiduguri, Damaturu, and Yola with increased risks of violence, violation of human rights, increased vulnerability and poverty linked to the decrease of access to services; b) Continuous displacements from and within Borno and Yobe States towards Adamawa and Maiduguri; c) Ongoing forced returns, including from neighbouring states, generating further rights violations, exposure to violence and displacement if enforced without a sustainable and safe environment.