Data and Displacement Research Team from the University of Ibadan has called for the harmonisation of relevant data to address challenges in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Nigeria.
The researchers gave the advice at the presentation of a research report on “Humanitarian Crises and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria: A situation Analysis” in Abuja.
The project: “Data and Displacement: Assessing the Practical and Ethical Implementations of Targeting Humanitarian Protection” was carried out by the University of Ibadan Research Team led by Dr Funke Fayehun and Dr Olayinka Akanle.
Fayehun, an Associate Prof. of the Department of Sociology, University of Ibadan, said there was a need to start addressing the lack of coherent data on IDPs in the country.
She also said there would be the risk of duplication of data by having different agencies documenting the same people.
Fayehun, who was the Lead Investigator on the research project, said there was a lack of coherence in the management of data on IDP camps in Nigeria, hence the need to work on it.
She said: “Even when you have data sets and are not well coherent because of the multiplicity of data from different organisations, the problem of reliability and quality of the data will be a big issue.
“It is going to be difficult for us to start making interventions over data where you have different sources.
“So, what you are seeing from this project is that let there be the coherence of systems or structures on IDP data. Let us enhance technological infrastructure in the IDP camps such that data will be accessible and will be easy for people to use.”
Fayehun said if relevant organisations could work together concerning the IDPs data set, and stop the multiplicity of data sources, they could recommend appropriate interventions for the government and the people that benefit from it.
Akanle said data ethics and the value chain ecosystem were very important in contexts of humanitarianism and IDPs in Nigeria.
Akanle said the study examined the data targeting processes in the humanitarian sector and other ethical issues.
The representative of Amnesty International, Osai Ojigho said dealing with the basic needs of displaced persons was not sufficient enough to return them to their homelands.
She said: “The fact that the insecurity, particularly in the Northeast, has continued to ravage till date, despite over 10 years of intervention in those areas.
“So, many other factors have contributed to what I will call a lingering sore that has refused to heal in Nigeria concerning people impacted by conflicts.”
Executive Director of CORAFID Centre for Innovation and Research, Makurdi, Nathaniel Awuapila, said the reports would help in effective planning for IDPs.
Awuapila, who is also an advisory board member of the project, said that the research would be of greater benefit to all stakeholders including the displaced persons.