THE IMPACT OF INFECTIOUS EPIDEMIC ON INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSON A CASE STUDY OF CORONAVIRUS DISEASE

Abstract

This study was on the impact of infectious epidemic on internally displaced person. A case study of coronavirus disease. Three objectives were raised which included; To find out the contribution of government to internally displaced person during COVID19, to find out the effect of COVID19 on internally displaced person and to identify COVID 19 information needs of IPDs in the federal capital territory in Abuja, Nigeria. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from IPDs in the federal capital territory in Abuja, Nigeria. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).

Chapter one

 Introduction

1.1Background of the study

Internally displaced people are typically citizens or habitual residents of the State concerned and should therefore enjoy the same rights and freedoms, without discrimination, as anyone else in that country. They must be able to benefit from all measures taken by the authorities to address the risk of infection and mitigate any secondary impact. Authorities must ensure that internally displaced people have access to public health information in a relevant local language and a format that is easy to access, including for children and people with disabilities, and that they are covered by prevention and control measures. Authorities must adopt the necessary legal, policy and/or ad hoc measures to remove any barriers preventing internally displaced people from accessing health care and make sure that they have equal access to life-saving testing and treatment. Ensuring the participation of internally displaced people and host communities in decision-making and implementation processes is also key to the success of any national and local response measures

The Corona virus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic gripped the world with shock, thereby overwhelming the health system of most nations. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the novel human Corona virus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, which began in Wuhan, China on December 8, 2019, a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on January 30, 2020 (WHO, 2020). With over one hundred and four million cases globally as of February 4th 2020 which includes seventy six million recovered cases and over two million deaths, the novel Corona virus is considered one of the world’s deadliest viruses. Following this, WHO declared that, the Corona virus Preparedness Group is constituted in Nigeria (a country with 36 states and a Federal Capital Territory [FCT]) and this was done on January 31 2020 to curb the spread of the deadly virus in Nigeria. WHO categorized Nigeria as one of the 13 high-risk African countries with respect to the spread of COVID 19 and Nigeria is also among the vulnerable African nations, given the weak state of the healthcare system (Marbot, 2020).

The sudden outbreak of COVID-19 has imposed a critical situation on public health among individuals in different part of the world. Families as the key building block of any society appeared to be the most important element that must be informed adequately of how to protect themselves and others from the disease and how to become capable of handling the situation in case of being infected with COVID-19. As a result, many governments have given utmost priority to preventing her citizens from being infected with COVID-19 through adopting different community-based strategies like launching wide-scale COIVID-19 awareness campaigns, quarantine protocols and mandating lockdown measures including schools and workplace closures (Buheji & Buheji, 2020). In Nigeria, the immediate and total lockdown of the nation during the first wave of the spread of COVID-19 proved to be the perfect solution to slowing down the rate of spread of the pandemic. This was proven by the slow rate of the spread of the virus and few numbers of death recorded across the country. However, as effective as the lockdown was, there were individuals who were highly vulnerable to contracting this virus because they have been forced or obliged to flee or to leave their homes or places of habitual residence as a result of insurgency, terrorism or natural disasters i.e. the IDPs. The Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) unlike other persons live a life of difficulties in their camp. IDPs are often neglected, stigmatized and are facing difficulties in access to basic services. With the Covid-19 outbreak, their situation is further worsened as they struggle to survive the impact of the conflict and the contagion at the same time. Despite their situation, the adults in the IPD camps crave for health information relating to the novel Corona virus to help themselves and their children from being infected with this virus as some of the children at the IDP camps may have had their health affected by the pandemic either directly or indirectly because they have to depend on their parents/caregivers who are worried of contracting the virus from others in the camp as there is no or little protection/health care services from the government.

The Boko Haram insurgency and counter-insurgency activities thereto widened in scope and intensity throughout 2014 and 2015 in the three North East States of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa. There have been increased security incidents, leading to masses of internally displaced persons seeking safety. While the majority of displaced persons are currently in the most affected North East states, IDPs have also moved to other States throughout the country, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) (UNHCR, NHRC & FEMA, 2015). These IDPs that were already overwhelmed with problems associated with lack of good and adequate food, poor shelter and lack of healthcare are now being faced with the challenges of dealing with the novel Corona virus. To avoid been infected by the virus which has the tendency to spread like wild fire and to know the steps to take in any case of infection, the IDPs need in the federal capital territory in Abuja needs to seek all available information they can get on the noble corona virus and how to deal with.

Statement of the problem

Internal displacement is perhaps one of the most adversely impactful human mobility issues, both to the affected people and the city. Unfortunately, it remains underrepresented in all forms of narrative. We do not know what exactly is happening as we lack the knowledge-building examining this vulnerable group. We also fail to effectively help and support them as most national and local policies do not reflect international guidelines on internal displacement. As the world is literally on a standstill due to COVID-19, vulnerable groups like IDPs are more weakened and more prone to experiencing injustice and inequalities. They often have limited or even non-existent access to basic services excluding them from most forms of aid and assistance. The internally displaced are unfortunately being left behind. Based on this the researcher wants to investigate the impact of infectious epidemic on internally displaced person. Using coronavirus disease as a case study

Objective of the study

Objectives of the study are;

1. To find out the contribution of government to internally displaced person during COVID19
2. To find out the effect of COVID19 on internally displaced person
3. To identify COVID 19 information needs of IPDs in the federal capital territory in Abuja, Nigeria

Research hypotheses

The following research hypotheses were formulated;

H0: there was no contribution of government to internally displaced person during COVID19

H1: there was contribution of government to internally displaced person during COVID19

H0: there is no effect of COVID19 on internally displaced person

H2: there is effect of COVID19 on internally displaced person

Significance of the study

The study will be very significant to student and government of Nigeria. The study will give a clear insight on the impact of infectious epidemic on internally displaced person. The study will serve as a  reference to other researcher that will embark on the related topic

Scope and limitation of the study

The scope of the study covers the impact of infectious epidemic on internally displaced person. A case study of coronavirus disease. The study will be limited to IDPs in Borno state

The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study

The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities and examinations with the study.

Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Definition of term

Internally displaced person; An internally displaced person (IDP) is someone who is forced to leave their home but who remains within their country’s borders. They are often referred to as refugees, although they do not fall within the legal definitions of a refugee

Coronavirus: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Most people who fall sick with COVID-19 will experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover without special treatment. However, some will become seriously ill and require medical attention

Related Project Topics :