Engr. Abdul-Qadir Aliyu1, Engr. Sadiya Halima Abdulrahman2, Mrs. Ashe Abubakar Wulet3
1. Hydraulics Division, Department of Research, National Water Resources Institute, Kaduna, Nigeria
2. Hydraulics Division, National Water Resources Institute, Kaduna, Nigeria
3. Groundwater Department, National Water Resources Institute, Kaduna, Nigeria
The North-Eastern region of Nigeria has suffered the aftermath of more than a decade long conflict due to the Boko Haram insurgency which has rendered the region in a critical situation. Over the years, the security situation has improved less and the risk increased, making the humanitarian crisis in the region one of the most serious in Africa and the world. The crisis in the region gave rise to migration and displacement of Civilians leading to lack of access to safe drinking water, poor sanitation and hygiene facilities, rising food insecurity, disruption of basic services such as livelihoods, education and healthcare. This research examines the impacts of
the insurgency on water, food and health in the affected areas of North-East Nigeria and seeks to proffer possible solutions to address such issues. The sources of data collected were from on-the-spot assessment of some internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps, where questionnaires were administered. The questionnaires were studied and subjected to statistical analysis, using Anova. Considering the fact that water and sanitation are critical determinants factor for survival in the all stages of the crisis, people affected are generally much more susceptible to illnesses and death from diseases and other health related ailments, which are
linked to a large extent to inadequate water supplies and poor sanitation and hygiene facilities. Robust solutions to water security challenges are outlined to include Rainwater harvesting, effective watershed and river basin management. Also, Restoring the Lake Chad is a possible solution, combating the insurgents will also allow access to food and water resources and farmers will return to their farming activities to cultivate more food to the region. Effective policy making is another option. Technological advancement can also play a role in early warning and prediction of risk. Capacity building and stakeholder engagement as well as public private partnership can also play a role in addressing the water, food and health challenges bedeviling the region.