Over 268,000 IDPs spread across 158 camps in South-East — Kalu

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has said that the South East region is facing a severe humanitarian crisis, with over 268,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) spread across 158 camps and affected communities.

Hon. Kalu stated this in Abuja while speaking at a Roundtable Discussion with International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) in a programme titled “Through Their Eyes: A Call to Action, Addressing Humanitarian Challenges in the South East.”

He said that the states of Enugu, Imo, Abia, Anambra, and Ebonyi are the most affected, with many people lacking access to clean water, adequate shelter, healthcare, and education.

Organised by the Office of the Deputy Speaker in conjunction with the Peace in South East Project (PISE-P), the purpose of the roundtable discussion is to explore avenues for deeper partnerships, to engender resilience, and to deliver sustainable solutions to some of the nation’s most pressing ecological issues.

The Deputy Speaker said that the crisis in the South East region is characterised by displacement, violence, and ecological challenges, including natural disasters like gully erosion that have destroyed homes and left many without shelter.

Kalu, who emphasised the need for collaborative efforts to provide immediate humanitarian relief and sustainable development solutions, therefore called for support from international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) and government agencies to address the crisis.

He said: “A special welcome to you to this roundtable with INGOs, a convening that underscores the pivotal role of collaboration in addressing Nigeria’s humanitarian, ecological, and systemic challenges.

“The Southeast geopolitical zone of Nigeria is grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis, characterised by displacement, violence, and ecological challenges.

“The report presented today underscores the grim realities: over 268,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are spread across 158 camps and affected communities. The states of Enugu, Imo, Abia, Anambra, and Ebonyi bear the brunt of this crisis, with precarious living conditions leaving many without access to clean water, adequate shelter, healthcare, and education.

“Shelter, in particular, remains a pressing concern. Families live in makeshift camps or overcrowded host communities, exposed to health risks, insecurity, and a loss of dignity.”

“Natural disasters like gully erosion have destroyed homes, leaving little to return to. This crisis demands not only immediate intervention but also sustainable strategies to restore stability and hope.”

Recognising INGOs’ contributions, Kalu said that their work has been instrumental in addressing the challenges.

He said that his office was committed to championing legislative inputs that could be of paramount importance to these issues.

“From food distribution to improving healthcare access, your interventions have touched the lives of millions. Additionally, your advocacy for marginalised groups, funding for local projects, and systemic support have provided critical relief and long-term opportunities.

“As a representative of the National Assembly, I am deeply committed to championing legislative and policy frameworks that address these issues comprehensively.”

Identifying key thematic areas to include education, healthcare and nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), mental health support, gender-based violence, and shelter, Kalu said that they required urgent attention.

“The Southeast crisis is not just a regional issue—it is a national challenge that requires a collective response. We, in government, pledge to facilitate an enabling environment for your work. This includes removing systemic barriers, enhancing security in affected regions, and providing a robust policy framework to guide interventions. Together, we can bridge the gap between immediate humanitarian relief and sustainable development.

“I urge us all to remain steadfast in our shared mission. Let us align our resources, strategies, and resolve to build a Nigeria where no one is left behind and every individual has the opportunity to thrive. Your insights and recommendations from today’s discussions will guide the formulation of evidence-based interventions,” Kalu said.

In their separate remarks, the head of INGOs in Nigeria, Camilla Higgins; the Director-General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, Umar Ibrahim Mohammed; the National Coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme Agency, Dr. Badamasi Lawal; the Director-General of the National Refugees Commission and Migrants, Alhaji Aliyu Ahmed; and representatives of the Directors-General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), who were obviously overwhelmed by the degree of ecological challenges and human crisis in the South East region arising from a video documentary, pledged their respective commitments to collaborate with the Office of the Deputy Speaker to address the menace.

They, however, appealed for an increase in their budgetary allocation for 2025 to enable them to function optimally in their constitutional mandates.

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