Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camping in the Durumi area of Abuja have cried out over what they described as gross neglect by relevant government agencies that are supposed to cater for their wellbeing.
The IDPs, who were closed to tears because of their living condition, stated this when an Abuja based sports club, Corporate Kickers Sports Club, CKSC, visited them with relief materials and food items to commemorate its 10th year anniversary.
According to the IDPs who fled their communities in the Northeastern part of the country to escape the violent onslaught of Boko Haram insurgents, living in their self-made camp in Durumi has been terrible experience, as government has totally neglected them since they moved to the camp.
The women leader of the IDPs, Hajia Amina lamented the living condition of the IDPs, saying nothing has been done by government to ameliorate their condition, if not for kind hearted individuals who have been coming to their aid with relief materials and food stuff.
“We have been living under the most unconducive environment without any help from government. The government people who are supposed to cater for us have not done anything for us. They only came here once to register us but that is the last we have heard from them”, she said.
According to her, they were initially supposed to stay in the Kuje IDP camp but because it was too filled, they had to move to Durumi, when a kind hearted woman offered them her uncompleted building to stay temporarily. However, they were asked out of the building when the owner decided to continue construction work, making them to move to an open plot opposite the building.
The IDPs, who were predominantly women and children, lives in tents made with tarpaulins without any provision for sanitary facilities.
Commenting on the living condition of the IDPs, the Captain of Club, Barrister Adegoke Oluyode, said the sight of the camp is pathetic and disheartening, adding that they had wanted to visit the IDPs and offer their little but the 10th year anniversary only provided a good opportunity.
“As a group and individuals, we believe in being responsible to our community as human beings and as citizens. We are concerned about what has been happening in our country and there are people who have lived the horror, so it is normal to come and show them that we care and render the little material support we can afford”, Oluyode said.
The club, CKSC handed out various items to the IDPs, ranging from food stuff to clothing and footwear.
Appreciating the gesture, Hajia Amina said they have been surviving through the large heartedness of individuals and groups like the CKSC. She called on government to come to their aid by providing a better camp for them before they are able to go back to their communities, adding that they have all missed their homes and are tired of living like beggars and refugees in their own country.
Comments