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Nigeria

Nigeria: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Survey

Attachments

1. BACKGROUND

1.1 Impact of conflict on the civilian population

Nigeria’s northeast is currently experiencing a significant humanitarian crisis, which has resulted from the ongoing counter-insurgency operations being conducted by the Nigerian armed forces and MNJTF against Boko Haram. High insecurity in the region has made access to populations in need of assistance and protection extremely difficult for humanitarian actors. While Boko Haram lost territory to security forces easing access to some areas in 2015, the government counter offensive overall has hampered humanitarian access. In parallel, displacements continue with movements of return initiated by the Government from Adamawa to Borno while IDPs continued to arrive in camps in Adamawa. As the counter insurgency operations have intensified, many civilians are caught in the conflict resulting in serious protection risks and violations, particularly in Borno State. While large areas of territory have been recaptured by the Nigerian army, the insurgency continues to target civilians in villages, IDP camps and urban centres including markets, education facilities, places of worship and health facilities. Large areas of Borno remain unsafe and inaccessible. It is therefore expected that during the programme timeframe, the following will unfold: a) Protracted displacement in urban centres, principally Maiduguri, Damaturu, and Yola with increased risks of violence, violation of human rights, increased vulnerability and poverty linked to the decrease of access to services; b) Continuous displacements from and within Borno and Yobe States towards Adamawa and Maiduguri; c) Ongoing forced returns, including from neighbouring states, generating further rights violations, exposure to violence and displacement if enforced without a sustainable and safe environment.

1.2 Danish Demining Group in Nigeria

Danish Demining Group (DDG) is a “Specialised Business Unit” within the Danish Refugee Council (DRC). DRC/DDG initiated, in October 2015, the implementation of an emergency assistance programme in Adamawa focusing on the provision of protection and emergency Non-Food assistance to IDPs in 13 informal camps and host communities. Two protection referral centres were established in Yola to address protection needs of individuals referred by communities and other stakeholders. DRC/DDG has initiated building protection capacity of government actors through training them on key protection issues and their role as duty bearers. In addition, DRC/DDG is delivering emergency Mine Risk Education sessions for women, men, boys and girls in camps and host communities in Borno and Adamawa states. DRC/DDG believes that MRE activities are essential to ensure that conflict-affected populations have the necessary knowledge and skills to protect themselves from the landmine/ERW threat in Nigeria. However, due to the escalation of conflict over the last year and the changing nature of the threat the MRE approach has to be adapted to reflect the current realities. In particular for returnee, and IDP communities, it is essential to carry out a Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) survey on mine/ ERW risks, allowing for the appropriate targeting of messages and methodologies according to identified needs and vulnerabilities.