In November 2019, I led about 25 entrepreneurs, to visit Internally Displaced Camp, where children, youth, women and men, of ages between 2 to 70 years were camped due to massive terrorism attack by bandits on their various communities in Katsina State. I donated clothing; drugs feed about 5,000 people living in the camp. I witnessed firsthand deplorable situation in the camp and the poor living and health conditions, particularly among the women and children. The IDPs live in shanties and unhygienic environments. There is no permanent shelter. Some of the women explained that it is difficult to feed their children as their husbands have left them and have to survive on the good will of others.
I then, partnered with community based organization and corporate organization to support younger populace in the camp with entrepreneurship and skills acquisition training, empowering women with vocational development skills. Most of them expressed their readiness to work and to build their skills, if there are opportunities available. About 90% of started implementing by launching small scale businesses in the camp and about 65% of the youths had been empowered to gain employment.
Based on this visit, follow up action was taken up on the situation of the Internally Displaced Persons in Katsina State, which include mobilizing solidarity support to improve their situation, advocating for inclusion of IDPs in social protection and access to public services and conducted a research based report aimed at awareness raising and identifying further actions I took.
Initially we did an advocacy to the Katsina State House of Assembly to demand for a new bill to cater for Internally Displaced Persons.