Assessment of Sanitation Conditions and Water Availability within Informal Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camps in Maiduguri Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

This study provides an in-depth assessment of sanitation conditions and water availability in selected informal Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps within Maiduguri Metropolis, Borno State, Nigeria. The research was necessitated by the growing concerns surrounding public health and environmental safety in informal IDP settlements, which host thousands of individuals displaced by insurgency. A total of 400 respondents were sampled using structured questionnaires, while additional insights were gathered through interviews with key stakeholders and direct field observations. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and simple percentage distributions to present a clear understanding of prevailing sanitation challenges. Findings indicate severe inadequacies in sanitation infrastructure across the camps. Only 23% of respondents have access to any form of toilet facility, while the majority (77%) report having no access, resulting in the widespread practice of open defecation and the use of bushy areas. Shared pit latrines account for 39% of the available facilities, yet these are often overcrowded and poorly maintained. Access to safe drinking water is equally limited, with 62% of respondents relying on potentially contaminated water sources, thereby increasing their exposure to waterborne diseases. The study concludes that informal IDP camps in Maiduguri Metropolitan face critical sanitation and public health challenges that demand urgent, targeted interventions. It recommends collaborative efforts by government agencies, non-governmental organizations, humanitarian actors, and community leaders to improve sanitation infrastructure, ensure access to safe drinking water, establish effective waste management systems, and strengthen health education campaigns. These measures are essential for safeguarding the well-being of displaced populations and mitigating the public health risks associated with poor sanitation.