Challenges of coordinating humanitarian services in Yobe North Senatorial District: A study of Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (YSEMA)

Abstract

Internally Displaced Persons living in host communities of Yobe North Senatorial Zone, Yobe State seems to suffer countless humanitarian challenges due largely to seeming inadequacies in the coordination of humanitarian services to alleviate the plights of the IDPs. The recurring insurgency especially in rural communities of the affected states in the north-east has compelled the displaced persons not to return to their original places of abode, hence, persistence of humanitarian crises in host communities of Yobe north senatorial district. This research dwelled on assessing the challenges of coordinating humanitarian services by Yobe state government in Yobe north senatorial district. The study used mixed method involving qualitative and quantitative approaches to elicit data from interviews and questionnaire respectively. Primary data is sourced from IDPs living in host communities of Yobe North Senatorial Zone, traditional authorities and officials of Yobe State Emergency Management Agency. Secondary data is obtained from official records, gazettes, books on best practices, journals and relevant materials from reputable sources. Structured questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data. Focus Group Discussion with IDPs was conducted in each of the three areas of study selected. Key informant interviews was conducted with three officials of Yobe State Emergency Management Agency. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics while qualitative data was analysed using Thematic Content Analysis on Qualitative Data Analysis Miner (QDAM) based on the research objectives. Findings of the study were presented using Explanatory Sequential Design where narratives from the qualitative data support numerical findings.