IDPs say tents provide privacy in camps

Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Yobe say the distribution of tents to them by the State Emergency Management Agency SEMEA) has provided improved privacy of their lives.

Malam Bunu Makinta, a beneficiary, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Damaturu that, ``the individual tent is just like having a room to yourself in the camp to conduct your life privately’’.

In the same vein, Malam Mallum Modu, another beneficiary, said some families had already formed households with a lot of privacy ``while some wives have joined their husbands in the individual tents’’.

NAN reports that the Yobe Government distributed 1,000 pieces of mattresses and 1,400 pieces of tarpaulin to IDPs to erect individual tents in the camp.

Alhaji Muhammad Lamin, Chairman Rehabilitation Sub-committee, said 30 dormitory tents had been established to shelter the IDPs.

Also, Alhaji Muhammed Bukar, General Manager, Yobe Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, said the construction of borehole and toilets in the camp had improved water supply and checked open defecation.

``Cases of open defecation have grossly reduced with the provision of latrines, adequate water and sanitary kits,’’ he said.

In another development, Alhaji Musa Jidawa, Executive Secretary of SEMA, said that the IDPs camp in Damaturu would celebrate the healing of 76 boys’ circumcision in the camp.

According to him, it is cultural for the people to celebrate this transition process in the lives of the male child.

``The camp will give them this opportunity of cultural identity and sense of belonging to celebrate the lives of the children,’’ he said.