The 3 Devastating Impacts of Crises on Displaced Nigerian Children

The impact of crises on displaced Nigerian children is disturbing and needs to be addressed urgently.

How would you feel if you were forced to leave your home because of a problem? Sad, I believe. This is how many children feel when they are displaced by a crisis.

Definition of Crises

When we talk about crises, we're referring to situations that affect the normal way of life and create instability. This crisis affects children who may have to leave their homes because of them. These are called displaced children.

In Nigeria, various types of crises lead to displacement. These include armed conflicts, natural disasters, and socio-economic challenges. Examples are the Boko Haram insurgency in the north, the conflict between herders and farmers, and various environmental issues.

In 2019, UNICEF stated that Nigeria had over 19 million displaced children and the numbers keep rising.

You see, crises make things difficult for displaced children. Let me show you three ways this happens.

The 3 Devastating Impacts of Crises on Displaced Nigerian Children

1. Mental Health Challenges: Imagine being a young child suddenly separated from your family or everything familiar due to a crisis. The emotional impact can be overwhelming.

Displaced children often experience fear and sadness. They might have nightmares or even withdraw from social activities. If not handled, this type of stress can lead to long-term mental health problems.

2. Disruption of Education: Now, let's talk about schooling. Imagine you're a child who used to attend school regularly, but because of a crisis, you're forced to run and leave everything behind. Education gets paused. This disruption can have a lasting effect on your cognitive development.

When displaced children miss out on education, they risk falling behind in learning and not reaching their full potential.

3. Health Challenges: During a crisis, access to clean water, proper nutrition, and healthcare can become limited. Displaced children might not have access to necessities like food or clean drinking water. This can lead to malnutrition, and weakened immune systems, leading to diseases.

Do you see how bad it gets for displaced children? What is the way forward, you may ask?

Well, different solutions can be adopted to help displaced children and they include the following;

Practical Solutions to Help Displaced Children

· Psychosocial Support Programs: It is crucial to provide displaced children with counseling services. Professionals can help children cope with trauma by having discussions that help them express their feelings.

Community-based activities like art therapy and support groups can also play a significant role in rebuilding children’s emotional well-being.

· Continued Education Opportunities: Education should never be paused, even during a crisis. Setting up temporary learning spaces can keep children learning.

NGOs and governments can collaborate to ensure that displaced children have access to quality education, including educational materials. This can provide a sense of normalcy, plus hope for the future.

· Improved Healthcare Services: It's important to establish healthcare facilities in displacement camps to address the health and hygiene challenges. Regular health check-ups, vaccination campaigns, and nutritional support can improve the well-being of displaced children.

Promoting proper hygiene practices can also prevent the spread of diseases.

The caregivers, whether parents or relatives are not left out. It is crucial to support caregivers of displaced children, as they play a significant role in creating a caring atmosphere for these children.

Here are some ways to do some ways to assist caregivers:

· Caregiver Training: Caregivers should be trained in parenting skills, child development, and psychosocial support. These will empower them to better understand the needs of displaced children. Then, workshops that focus on effective communication may be helpful too.

· Access to Information: Caregivers might not always be aware of the available services. So, information centers should be established within displacement camps or communities to inform caregivers about services available to them and the children they care for. In the areas of healthcare, education, legal rights, and psychosocial support.

· Mental Health Support: Caregivers often face a lot of emotional challenges themselves. Offering mental health services, including counseling and stress management skills, can help them manage their well-being while creating a more stable environment for the children in their care.

· Economic Support: Many displaced caregivers might struggle to provide for their families due to loss of livelihoods. They can be offered vocational training, loan opportunities, or income-generation projects that can help them become independent. This will reduce financial stress while enhancing the overall well-being of their households.

· Community Networking: Establishing support networks among caregivers within the displaced community can foster a sense of belonging and provide a platform for sharing experiences. Peer support groups can help caregivers learn from each other and provide advice.

· Legal Assistance: Ensuring that caregivers are aware of their legal rights and responsibilities is essential. They should have access to legal aid to address any potential issues related to custody and access to child protection services in the case of child exploitation.

· Child-Centered Spaces: Create safe, child-friendly spaces where caregivers and children can engage in recreational and educational activities together. These spaces encourage bonding and provide a sense of normalcy.

· Resilience-Building Programs: Training programs that focus on building resilience in caregivers and can equip them with the skills to adapt to changing circumstances.

· Cultural Sensitivity: Program support should be tailored to the cultural norms and specific needs of the displaced community. This is because understanding local customs can enhance the effectiveness of the assistance provided.

· Advocacy: Advocacy for the rights of displaced caregivers and children at the policy level needs to grow. By raising awareness about their needs and challenges, we can contribute to creating an environment that prioritizes their well-being.

Finally, the key is a collaborative effort involving governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and local communities. By providing displaced children with access to essential services, we can help them overcome the devastating impacts of crises and build a brighter future.