The UN Migration Agency (IOM) has revealed that ongoing conflicts in insurgency-affected states of Nigeria’s North-East have continued to trigger movements of displaced persons and increased malnutrition in children.
The IOM made this known in its Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) report for Nigeria which was made available to newsmen on Monday, 4 March 2019, in Abuja.
According to the DTM report, between 18 February 2019 and 24 February 2019, 1,606 movements were recorded, including 1,505 arrivals and 101 departures amongst Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North East.
It stated that arrivals were recorded at locations in Askira/Uba, Bama, Chibok, Damboa, Gwoza, Jere, Konduga, Maiduguri, Mobbar and Ngala Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Borno state.
It listed other locations of arrivals to include Demsa, Fufore, Maiha and Numan LGAs of Adamawa state.
The DTM also reports that departures were recorded at Askira/Uba LGA of Borno state and Demsa, Fufore, Maiha and Numan LGAs of Adamawa state.
It stated that the Emergency Tracking Tool (ETT) assessments identified the following movement triggers: ongoing conflict (53%), voluntary relocation (27%), poor living conditions (8%), fear of attacks (8%), improved security (3%), and military operations (1%).
It stated that an exhaustive screening using Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) and Oedema for acute malnutrition was conducted by sector partners for 199 children between six months and 59 months (six years).
It revealed that of the 199 children, six children from inaccessible communities had severe acute malnutrition, 19 were moderately malnourished while 174 of the children were nourished.
According to the report, no case of Oedema was reported in the four LGAs that we received reports from.
It stated that results also include 18 children from neighbouring countries (15 from Bama and 3 from Ngala); of all the 18 children measured, 1 child was severely and acutely malnourished.
The DTM indicated that 16 were nourished, the remaining one child was moderately malnourished and children found with acute malnutrition have been admitted in the treatment programme.
“In Konduga LGA of Borno State, 564 arrivals were recorded and they included 563 arrivals from Bakin Kasuwa in Doro ward and1 arrival from Kasuwan Katako in Baga ward of Kukawa LGA of Borno state.
“The new arrivals reported to have relocated due to the ongoing conflict,’’ the report said.
– APA
