GENIDA Policy Briefs

Policy Brief 1
January 2020

Internally displaced persons in Nigeria: brief notes from field visits to Benue state
Olufemi M Adenitan 

This brief provides insight into the lived experiences of internally displaced Persons (IDP) in Benue State, Nigeria, reflecting on some of the challenges encountered.

Policy Brief 2
February 2020

Bridging disaster risk and internal displacement in Malawi: reflections on Malawi’s Disaster Risk Management Policy 
Joe Mlenga 

This article is a short discussion of the Malawi Disaster Risk Management Policy, a document that is indirectly linked to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in that country.

Policy Brief 3
March 2020

Protecting persons displaced by natural disasters in Zimbabwe: the need for the Kampala Convention
Hoitsimolimo Mutlokwa  

This brief reflects on the main framework for protecting persons affected by natural disasters in Zimbabwe. It notes the importance of the Kampala Convention in natural disasters.

Policy Brief 4
April 2020

Protecting internally displaced women and girls from sexual gender based violence in Nigeria
Cynthia Mbajunwa

Over the last decade, sexual gender-based violence has been the ‘collateral damage’ of violent clashes, and its prevalence in Nigeria is often seen as a by-product of internal conflicts involving irregular forces, which frequently result in disproportionate civilian casualties. This brief examines the measures taken to protect internally displaced women and girls from SGBV in Nigeria.

Policy Brief 5
May 2020

When communities resist relocation: rethinking strategies for protecting the displaced residents of Bududa in Uganda
Onen David Ongwech

Africa has experienced civil wars, internal strife, ethnic clashes, genocides and other humanitarian emergencies which have generated millions of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). Cognisant of the high incidence of human rights violations, exponential growth in the number of IDPs and a hike in their generalised vulnerability the protection of IDPs becomes paramount.

Policy Brief 6
June 2020

Enhancing cooperation for R2P in situations of internal displacement in Africa
Edwin Yingi & Sikhanyiso Masuku  

This brief offers an overview of the current policy and legislative framework on internal displacement in Zimbabwe. It identifies the lack of any formal legal recognition of internal displacement and weak property rights as the major drivers of internal displacement. The policy calls for the domestication of the 2009 Protection and Assistance of IDPs in Africa.

Policy Brief 7
July 2020

Policy and legal framework on internal displacement in Zimbabwe: an overview
Nqobizitha Ndlovu

This brief offers an overview of the current policy and legislative framework on internal displacement in Zimbabwe. It identifies the lack of any formal legal recognition of internal displacement and weak property rights as the major drivers of internal displacement. The policy calls for the domestication of the 2009 Protection and Assistance of IDPs in Africa.

Policy Brief 8
August 2020

Urban internally displaced persons (IDPs): the South Sudan’s experience with a focus on Juba
Joseph Geng Akech

This brief highlights the emerging problem of growing number of urban IDPs in Juba. It draws attention to their unique experiences and challenges which the COVID-19 has exacerbated owing to their already poor living conditions and lack of access to basic social
services. The brief argues that urgent and bold actions need to be taken to ensure that urban IDPs are not left behind in South Sudan’s development agenda.

Policy Brief 9
September 2020

The realities of urban slum dwellers in the wake of COVID-19: a case study on forced evictions in Lagos, Nigeria
Unyime Eyo  

This brief seeks to evaluate the situation of displaced urban slum populations in Lagos, in the era of Covid-19, a critique of the existing legal framework and the government’s response to the plights of Urban IDPs. Lastly, it shares how advocacy efforts such as public interest litigation can aid in preserving the rights of Urban IDPs even in this period.

Policy Brief 10
October 2020

Articulating the socio-economic impact of development and reforestation-induced displacements in Kenya
Nelly C Rotich

This brief draws from existing literature in order to point out instances where the government has breached the socio-economic rights of persons displaced for development projects and reforestation. It highlights the relevant legal requirements in order to assess their adequacies or lack of it in addressing the processes and impacts of displacements for development and reforestation.

Policy Brief 11
November 2020

Challenges for the implementation of the right to education of forcibly displaced children in North-East, Nigeria
Olanike Adelakun

This brief analyses the challenges and impediments to achieving the right to education of displaced children in Nigeria. Conflict induced internal displacement has caused over 2 million to be homeless across Nigeria with over 80% of the displaced population being women and children – with children accounting for the larger part of this population.