SUMMARY
Over the course of the last twelve months, food insecurity and other humanitarian needs have deteriorated in many communities across Borno state as returnees, host communities and IDPs exhaust their limited resources. Many people targeted by the Humanitarian Community are not receiving sufficient emergency support.
Oxfam has sought to expand its work in Borno State focusing on IDPs, returnees and host communities who have not yet received humanitarian assistance. Oxfam’s programme seeks to deliver life saving activities via an integrated WaSH, Economic Recovery and Market Systems (ERMS) and protection response.
In October 2016, Oxfam determined the need for an integrated rapid assessment in Damboa Town and outlying areas. The results of the assessment are discussed within this document, and will be used to better inform and target Oxfam’s planned activities in Damboa Town and the surrounding areas.
Following the analysis of a household survey and observational data, Oxfam proposes the following actions and recommendations for response in Damboa Central and outlying areas:
WASH: - Discussion with ward level representatives, community groups and leaders to determine accurate population numbers, preferences and community structures in each ward to better target a limited WASH response before the end of the year - Immediate quality testing of borehole and water seller sources as the most frequently used water sources for the population in Damboa, followed by rapid treatment if required, or household level distribution of appropriate treatment materials (e.g. Aquatabs) whilst sources are improved - Household survey of sanitation infrastructure based on vulnerability criteria and selection of households for latrine rehabilitation/building projects.
SHELTER:
- Undertake an assessment of returnee household shelter needs, prioritisation of the most vulnerable and targeted distribution of shelter materials and support.
FOOD SECURITY AND LIVELIHOODS:
- Close co-ordination with existing actors in Damboa central (ICRC and Mercy Corps) to identify populations not currently covered by existing food assistance activities.
- Blanket food assistance in Damboa in the next 3-6 months as livelihoods and incomes begin to recover. Gaps currently exist both within Damboa central, as well as in villages between Sabon Gari and Damboa.
- More detailed livelihoods assessment to inform the income and food insecurity dynamics of returnee and IDP households in the wider Damboa LGA.
PROTECTION - The low level of unmet priority needs coupled with concerning GBV risks and GBV arising as a consequence of unmet basic needs, highlights the necessity for an integrated humanitarian response. This becomes increasingly important in a context where the prime risks of GBV are common negative coping strategies that will primarily impact girls and boys, and where livelihood activities may subject men and boys to heightened exposure to killing, accepting high-risk jobs, exploitation from employers, abduction or kidnapping. - Increase the availability of services for mental health and psychosocial support, and education. These are amongst the prime needs that remain highly unaddressed. - Undertake humanitarian activities in a way that ameliorate community tensions. The relationship between Host and IDPs is significantly tense in Damboa. This can be done, amongst other methodologies, by enhancing the participation of Host community in the way humanitarian assistance is undertaken, increase transparency and information dissemination, and continue to provide need-based assistance rather than status-based. - Communicating to and communication from beneficiaries must be primarily undertaken through, preferably a combination of, community leaders, staff members of humanitarian agencies and community volunteers. The use of notice boards to provide information must be highly limited as they are not preferred by the community and, given the higher level of illiteracy amongst women, make women more reliable on other members of the community to receive information.