EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In response to the humanitarian crisis in north east region of Nigeria and the fact that more LGAs are now accessible out of the 27 LGAs in insurgency-hit north-eastern state of Borno, COOPI decided to undertake a multi-sector rapid needs assessment (MSNA) to better understand the humanitarian needs of the displaced and host population. A Humanitarian Response Advisor was deployed to Nigeria from September to December, 2016 to identify feasible and appropriate interventions and provide recommendations for future COOPI programs in Borno.
The assessment, conducted from October 5th to November 10th, used household interviews, Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and key informant interviews (KI) to collect information on the needs and protection risks faced by both the displaced and the host population in two selected wards within Kaga LGA (Benisheikh and Ngamdu).
The MSNA investigated the needs of IDP in informal camps in Benisheikh and the needs of IDPs living within the host community of Ngamdu, and those of the host community itself. Residents of Ngamdu are considered as returnees as they fled the area due to the conflict and recently went back (2016).
An attempt to identify specific pattern of vulnerabilities for each group (men, women and children) is included in this report, as well as an attempt to identify the challenges that IDPs are facing in the host community compared to the challenges they face in informal camps.
Vendor interviews were conducted to capture a preliminary understanding of the local traders’ ability to respond to an increase in demand of basic food, addressing pricing, stock availability, delivery speed, storage capacity and access to credit.
A secondary data review of relevant documents produced by INGOs, UN agencies, Sector Working Groups, Government of Nigeria, including regular updates from the monitoring information systems available in the country (Fews Net, UNOCHA humanitarian dashboards and the Humanitarian Bulletin Nigeria North-East, IOM/DTM, Food Security Sector Bulletin, WFP Situation Reports, ACAPS) was conducted to provide a contextual overview to the interpretation of the assessment findings, as well as to validate and complement them.
The selection of the assessment locations was based on the security situation and physical accessibility to the areas (in coordination with UNOCHA and INSO), the estimated size of the displaced population and the host community and the identified gaps in service provision. Information on gaps in humanitarian assistance, both in displacement locations and areas of return, was gathered through meetings with NEMA/SEMA, bilateral meetings with INGOs and coordination with the Sector Working Groups in Borno (Food Security, Protection, WASH, Nutrition, Shelter/NFI, Education).
The assessment was coordinated with local authorities at LGA level and with NEMA/SEMA, Sector Working Groups, UNOCHA and other UN agencies and INGOs working/planning to work in the same locations (IOM, MSF-Spain, CRS).
