IDP monitor: Is it still possible to close the IDP camp in 2017 in the light of this?

by Usman Alabi

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said Borno still has 32 IDP camps inspite of recent return of some persons to liberated communities.

Muhammad Kanar, the North-East coordinator of the agency, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Maiduguri. He said 16 of the camps were located in Maiduguri, while 16 were cited in some local government areas.

He said the number of displaced persons in the camps ranged from 120, 000 to 130, 000.

“We still have 32 camps in the state; 16 of the camps are in Maiduguri, while 16 others are in the local government areas, which we call satellite camps.

“The number of persons in the 16 camps in Maiduguri fluctuates between 120, 000 and 130, 000; sometimes it is less depending on the situation,” Kanar said.

He said the number of IDPs in satelite camps was 400, 000, adding that no fewer than 1.2 million IDPs were also staying with relatives in the communities.

He said that the agency had been striving hard to provide welfare for the IDPs wherever they were located.

You recall that Ymonitor did an analysis on the feasibility of closing the IDP camps by 2017.

Do you think it is possible to to close the camps next year in the light of this revelation.

Let us have your opinion and views