Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Abuja are facing a growing number of pregnancy-related cases in the camp prompting concerns about their ability to cope with the economic challenges in the country.
In response, some IDPs have been advised to temporarily halt childbearing until their situation improves.
This dire situation was highlighted during a recent donation of relief materials and medical outreach at the Kuchingoro camp for IDPs in the Federal Capital Territory.
The event, organized by the Chiggy Nsofor Foundation, brought much-needed aid to over 100 pregnant women and 300 others.
However, it also shed light on the struggles these women face daily.
Christiana Ishaya, an IDP from Zangon Kataf in Kaduna State, who fled her home to escape bandit attacks, spoke about the difficulties they face in the camp.
“We struggle with basic amenities like clean water, toilets, and electricity. Even though we live in makeshift shelters, we still need light,” she said.
Ishaya also revealed that many pregnant women in the camp have been encouraged to take a break from childbearing due to economic challenges, and family planning pills have been distributed to help them.
Rahama Iliya, another IDP from Borno State, shared similar concerns.
“Many women have given birth here, but I can’t give an exact number. Every year, women get pregnant and deliver, and the cycle continues. We face challenges, and it’s heartbreaking that we haven’t seen any direct intervention from our leaders,” she said.
Iliya has spent eight years in the camp, and her story highlights the long-term nature of the displacement and the lack of support from state governments.
The IDPs’ plight has not gone unnoticed, with the Chiggy Nsofor Foundation providing medical services, food, and scholarship assistance to over 400 people in the camp.
However, the founder, Chigozie Nsofor, emphasized that more needs to be done.
“Our decision to focus on IDP camps stems from the immense challenges these people face. They have been displaced from their homes, and if anyone is in urgent need of assistance, it is the people in these camps,” he said.
Nsofor appealed to well-meaning Nigerians and the government at all levels not to leave the IDPs to their fate. “If the government could step in to support these individuals, especially in providing proper education, it would make a world of difference,” he added.
The stories of these IDP women serve as a stark reminder of the need for urgent attention and support to address their basic needs and economic challenges.
As they struggle to survive in the camp, they also face the added burden of pregnancy and childcare, making their situation even more precarious.
