Assessing the Water Supply and Sanitation Status in IDP Camps within Borno State

Abstract

Water is an invaluable resource to man and living things since it is essential to the sustenance of life function. Accessibility and availability of fresh clean water does not only play a crucial role in economic development and social welfare but it is also essential element in health, food production, disease control and poverty reduction A continuous lack of water, insufficient latrines or uncontrolled open defecation, poorly set up waste disposal or drainage systems are all risks that may lead to illnesses and epidemics such as diarrhea and cholera. This project assessed improving water supply and Sanitation in Monguno Local Government IDPs Camp, Borno State. The study examines the conditions of improving water supply and sanitation in IDPs camps and how this has impacted on the health, hygiene and sanitation practice of the IDPs. This study was on secondary and primary information gathered using questionnaire shared to 300 internally displaced people (IDPs) staying in the ten (10) camps in Monguno Local Government Area. Questionnaires were shared to the IDPs and collected after three days. This has shown that the overall median and average values for both water supply and sanitation coverage across NGOs refugee operations standards but that there are still large numbers of camps where the average water supply is inadequate and there are not enough latrines for the population. Indicators across the water, sanitation, health and nutrition sectors in refugee operations show how the quality of service or gaps in one sector has clear impacts on another. The limitations of such general view and the use of one annual value are acknowledged but this information has strengthened understanding of the effects of inadequate service provision. Household surveys showed how gaps in poor water and sanitation were affecting IDPs wellbeing and health. To make water, sanitation and hygiene effective and successful, participation of the camp population, particularly of women and girls is essential. There is need to improve service provision to over and above the prescribed minimum standards in the water, sanitation, health and nutrition sectors but this will also require increased and sustained resources.