Economic Hardships and Intergenerational Support among Families in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camps in Jos, Nigeria

Abstract

ABSTRACT Plateau State, Nigeria has experienced multiple ethnoreligious crises including devastating changes to traditional herder–farmer clashes in rural areas. Destruction of lives and property of rural autochthons in crises locations led to internal displacements from their ancestral homes. Families flee to safety, sheltering in makeshift camps under compromising conditions with few basic resources and lost livelihoods. We studied the lived experiences of internally displaced persons (IDP) in a camp, the nature of intergenerational exchange among family members and how the family structure has been affected and thrives in crisis situations. The family resilience framework and the life course theory were employed to understand constraints and agency of displaced families. Qualitative research methods were used to study IDPs living in the Geo-Sciences Camp in Jos. Two focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted in Hausa with adult female and male occupants, interviews with key informants and observations. FGD transcripts were translated to English, coded and analysed thematically. We found that the conflict had inflicted severe poverty on IDPs. They lost most material possessions, sources of livelihood and became dependent on charity to meet their basic needs. Marital relationships and gender roles changed. Parenting roles were affected in duties of provision, nurture and discipline. Critical aspects of family life were managed by ill-trained volunteers, with major support coming from international non-governmental organisations (INGOs)/non-governmental organisations (NGOs), charitable/faith-based organizations and the public with little government presence. Recommendations include reorganisation of IDP camps prioritising family spaces, robust trauma care services and more proactive governance of IDPs to restore them to secured communities.