Written question asked by Baroness Cox (Crossbench) on Monday, 19 February 2024, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 4 March 2024. It was answered by Lord Benyon (Conservative) on Wednesday, 28 February 2024 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Nigeria: Internally Displaced People

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the second-order effects of mass displacement in central Nigeria, especially on (1) educational outcomes, (2) the use of narcotics among young people, and (3) the risk of trafficking.

Answer: Displacement in Nigeria has a significant impact on children, who are often no longer able to attend school and therefore lack education provision for an extended period of time. This can also increase vulnerability to trafficking and other safeguarding issues. While the UK funds development initiatives in some Middle Belt states, our humanitarian assistance is aligned with the UN Humanitarian Response Plan which focusses on North-East Nigeria, which is most impacted by displacement. The UK is also supporting Nigeria's National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency to increase the local law enforcement agencies' capacity and capability to disrupt narcotics flow across Nigeria, in line with human rights standards.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: HL2533
Session: 2023-24
Subjects: Education Drugs Human trafficking Misuse Young people Nigeria Internally displaced people
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk