Interventions for Persons Affected by Conflicts & Insurgency: An Assessment of Psychosocial Support in Idp Camps In Nigeria

Abstract

Armed conflicts and insurrections are a precursor for mental health challenges in children, adolescents and young adults. A wide range of psychosocial approaches have been suggested for managing such challenges which result from these conflicts driven situations. This study investigated the extent to which psychosocial intervention programmes are implemented for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the camps in Maiduguri, Borno state, Nigeria and how these programmes are able to meet the needs of the affected persons. A qualitative research design was adopted, and three research questions were generated. Subjects are 200 respondents that are selected from a target population of 1005 displaced persons in two (2) camps in Borno state, through simple random sampling. Instruments used for data collection included questionnaire, interviews and focus group discussions. The result of the study showed that several psychosocial approaches were utilized in the management of the post trauma challenges and were rendered by various professional and volunteer groups in the camp. The study concludes that effective and efficacious interventions for these conflicts driven challenges require strengthening and that these services which are available in the camps require retooling, deepening and some conscious improvement.