IMPACT OF PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT AT THE INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS’ CAMPS (IDPS) IN THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, NIGERIA

Abstract

IDPs are caused by either artificial or natural disaster which has made many flee the borders of their communities.
This study aimed at assessing the physical characteristics of the IDPs camps in the FCT with a view to examining
its effect on the wellbeing of the IDPs. The objectives, examine the socioeconomic characteristics of the camps,
the types of shelter used by the IDPs and assessment of the environmental condition of the camps. The systematic
random sampling technique was used to sample 331 households from the two camps available. The study, however,
discovered that less than 28% of the IDPs live in Tent, 1% are living at school, shelters built with planks and wood
materials, sacks and leather materials and more than 53% are built with other materials like cartons and other
garbage materials. The research concludes that IDPs camps in Abuja are haphazardly arranged with no presence
of physical planning in the camps. The study, therefore, recommends that Government at all levels should adopt a
proactive planning approach for IDPs in the 36 states of Nigeria, including FCT, before it occurs instead of the quick
fix/reactive approach where IDPs takes shelter in school and other improvised ways of taking shelter.