THE IMPACT OF CONFLICT ON HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Harrison, (2012) defined Conflict as a confrontation between persons caused by a difference in thought process, attitudes, understanding, interests, needs, and, in some cases, perceptions. A quarrel leads to heated discussions, physical abuse, and, undoubtedly, the loss of peace and harmony. Relationships can be altered by a disagreement (Fang, Hipel, Kilgour 1993).

A conflict can happen not just between persons, but also between countries, political groups, and states. A minor issue that is not resolved at the appropriate moment may escalate into a big war and rifts among countries, resulting in considerable discontent and disharmony. Neighboring countries can also be in conflict. Take, for example, India and China, or, for that matter, India and Pakistan. India and Pakistan are twin sisters since there is little variation in their cultures, religions, climatic circumstances, and eating habits, but the two countries are constantly at odds for reasons that are unknown. Small disagreements between the two countries sparked a war that has now become a big source of concern for both. Conflicts are also caused by misunderstandings and ego clashes. Every person has a unique perspective on the world and how they react to certain situations (Harrison, 2012).

Human suffering is on an unprecedented scale as a result of deadly conflict and political crisis. Over 65 million people have been displaced from their homes, and nearly 74 million are facing acute hunger as a result of conflict and violence. War and political violence have increased over the last decade, but that is not the only factor driving this trend. Many actors – leaders, governments, and non-state armed groups – are deliberately inflicting pain on civilians or using political or military tactics despite the loss of human lives. Crisis Group seeks to increase understanding of these dynamics and inform policies to limit the human costs of conflict through its reporting and advocacy. The armed conflict in Syria, which began with anti-government protests in March 2011 and has since devolved into a brutal war involving regional and global powers, has become emblematic of the current state of conflicts and the challenges confronting humanitarian action, encapsulating many of the key trends and features of both. As such, while it is merely one of many internecine conflicts wreaking havoc around the planet, it deserves special attention (Espejo, Harnden 1989).

According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the number of armed conflicts in the world has been steadily declining in recent years, but the number of fatalities appears to have increased dramatically (in 2008, a global total of sixty-three armed conflicts resulted in 56,000 fatalities, whereas in 2014, a global total of forty-two armed conflicts resulted in 180,000 fatalities). Even with the caveats that evaluating the number of war casualties is famously hard and often contentious, and that figures should be viewed with caution in many circumstances, there appears to be a compelling argument that armed conflicts have gotten more lethal in recent years. Fall out from conflicts include malnutrition, illness, wounds, torture, harassment of specific groups within the population, disappearances, extra-judicial killings, and forcible displacement of people. Aside from the immediate effects on the individuals involved, the ramifications of these disasters for local systems must also be considered: the loss of crops and culturally significant sites, the disintegration of economic infrastructure and health-care facilities such as hospitals, and so on.

Fang, Hipel, Kilgour (1993) noted that the impact of armed conflict on individuals and systems critical to their existence can take several forms, as illustrated by the instances below.

Malnutrition rates typically skyrocket when large-scale relocation occurs.

During Sierra Leone's five-year conflict, about 40% of the country's population was forced to evacuate their homes. Hundreds of thousands of people fled to Guinea and Liberia, but the majority sought safety in Sierra Leone, with over one million people residing in camps around Freetown, Bo, Kenema, Segbwema, and Daru by the end of 1995.

Somalia, 1991: "The economic and social system no longer exists." There is no power, communications are down, and schools are closed. Everything that was critical to the country's survival has been destroyed. There are a lot of explanations for this dreadful condition, including insecurity, fighting between clans, and even within groups."

The devastation of Sarajevo's water delivery system had terrible implications for the city's people. For about a year and a half, a portion of the city was without flowing water. There were a few locations where the residents had to travel to acquire the water they required, risking being attacked by snipers (Harrison, 2012).

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

While the quantity and complexity of concurrent conflict-driven crises in Nigeria today has resulted in epic humanitarian needs, the gap between those needs and the ability of humanitarian donors to fulfill them appears to be bigger than at any other point in recent history (Harrison, 2012). The increased empowerment of local terrorists and armed groups, while generally regarded as a beneficial and essential development, creates unique obstacles to international humanitarian actors working in war zones. Simultaneously, an alarming number of non-State armed organizations may be disdainful of both traditional and conventiona (i.e., Western) humanitarian standards and practices, rejecting what they regard as the imposition of Western ideals and hence refusing entry and failing to provide security.

There have been situations where governments have with held access to humanitarian agencies due to diplomatic reasons and this has impacted greatly on the lives of refugees and the internally displaced people. The rise of Boko Haram in the northern part of Nigeria, has led to an unusual number of displaced people, led to the rise in insurgency and led to the increase in refugee camps. Humanitarian agencies can only do as much as they can as they are currently overswamped with responsibilities (Espejo, Harnden 1989).

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The primary objective of this study is assess the impact of conflict on humanitarian situation in Nigeria. Other objectives are:

i.          To determine the effects of conflict on the society

ii.        To determine the effects of conflict on the availabilty of humanitarian aid in Nigeria

iii.      To determine the relationship between conflict and the rise in the number of displaced people in Nigeria

iv.      To examine the challenges of humanitarian aid in Nigeria

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTION

i.          What are the effects of conflict in the society?

ii.        What are the effects of conflict on the availabilty of humanitarian aid in Nigeria?

iii.      What is the relationship between conflict and the rise in the number of displaced people in Nigeria?

iv.      What are the challenges of humanitarian aid in Nigeria?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will be beneficial to the society as the findings of this study will show the effects of conflicts on the society. It will also show the effects conflict has on the humanitarian situation in Nigeria. This study will also be beneficial to the government as it will be able to implement effective policies that will help to curb insecurity and also aid easy humanitarian actions.

Finally, this study will be of great benefit to scholars as it will serve as an existing material for further research and future reference.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study will be focusing on the impact of conflict on humanitarian situation in Nigeria. It will also focus on the effects conflict cause in the society at large, and in the rise of displaced persons.

Displaced people in Lugbe IDP Camp, Abuja will serve as enrolled participants of this study.

1.7 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

This study will be limited to the impact of conflict on humanitarian situation in Nigeria. It will also be limited to the effects conflict cause in the society at large, and in the rise of displaced persons.

Displaced people in Lugbe IDP Camp, Abuja will serve as enrolled participants of this study and as such findings of this study cannot be used anywhere else until further research is carried out.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Impact: a marked effect or influence

Conflict: a serious disagreement or argument, typically a protracted one.

Humanitarian: concerned with or seeking to promote human welfare.

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