ECONOMIC AND HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT ON THE SOCIAL WELLBEING OF WOMEN IN IDP CAMPS IN GUMA LGA, BENUE STATE

Abstract

Globally, there is continuous increase in forceful displacement of persons with corresponding effect on the social well-being. In Nigeria, internal displacement is on the increase and many of the IDPs who live in camps are women, a vulnerable group in the population whose social wellbeing is ultimately under threat. To uncover some of the implications of internal displacement, this study examined implication of internal displacement on the social wellbeing of women in Guma Local Government Area of, Benue State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: examine economic implication of internal displacement, health implication of internal displacement, of women in Guma LGA, Benue State. Social integration theory were adopted in the study. The study utilised cross-sectional survey design with Guma Local Government Area as the study area. The population of the study was internally displaced women who were 18 years and above, living in camps in Guma Local Government Area. The sample size determination formula by Cochran was used to arrive at a sample size of 384. The study utilised multi-stage sampling procedure. Questionnaire and Key Informant Interview (KII) were used to collect data. The data were analysed using descriptive, inferential as well as content analyses techniques. Findings of the study revealed that economic implications of internal displacement included loss of farm ownership loss of job, reduction in income, increase in dependency ratio among others influenced the social wellbeing of women in the area.  Additionally, it was found that internally displaced women ate food that were unhygienic, there was also indication for lack of clean water, and the environment not fumigated thereby giving rise to mosquito bites and subsequent malaria significantly affected the social wellbeing of women in camps in Guma Local Government Area. The study concluded that internal displacement including economic, health, and nutritional implications have significant influence on the social wellbeing of women in Guma Local Government Area. The study recommended a comprehensive assessment in camps in the study area. The government should start by conducting a thorough needs assessment in the camps to understand the specific economic challenges faced by internally displaced women in Guma Local Government Area, Benue State. This will help to improve the social wellbeing of internally displaced women in the study area.