AN OVERVIEW OF THE MANAGEMENT OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND NIGERIA

Benedicta Daudu, Department of International Law & Jurisprudence, Faculty of Law, University of Jos, Nigeria.

Abstract

AN OVERVIEW OF THE MANAGEMENT OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND NIGERIA BY BENEDICTA DAUDU Throughout history, humankind has been subjected to displacement. Some factors make this displacement involuntary. These factors range from violent social conflicts to naturally occurring phenomena such as drought, flood and earthquakes. This paper examined how the United States of America (USA) and Nigeria meet humanitarian challenges arising from displacements of persons. Both countries attempt to meet Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) humanitarian challenges by using the institutions of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in the USA and Nigeria respectively. FEMA coordinates operational response, relief and recovery efforts by issuing tasks to relevant government agencies while NEMA provides material assistance to the displaced. This paper is of the opinion that a more flexible approach will be required in the response of the United States and Nigeria in order to place adequate resources and expertise at the disposal of the internally displaced in both countries. The analysis therefore concludes that the adoption of the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement by Nigeria and the development of an enhanced, comprehensive and appropriate normative framework by the United States to respond to, and assist IDPs will go a long way to ameliorate the plight of IDPs in both countries. Key words: Effective Management, Humanitarian Response, Appropriate Framework, assistance, Internally Displaced Persons.