Life of Orphans in Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs) Camps in Northern Nigeria: Coping Strategies and Adjustments to Life in the Hands of Surrogate Families

Research on internally displaced persons (IDPs) often neglect orphans and lump the plights of children as a single homogeneous issue in peace and security discourses. Using qualitative interviewing and observations among a cross section of 50 orphans, this study examines their coping strategies and adjustments to life in the hands of surrogate families. The data revealed that orphans are inadequately catered for, and were hurriedly and compulsorily attached to surrogate families without detailed background checks, a situation which widens the social and emotional distance between orphans and their surrogate parents. Accounts of insecurity and child molestation were noted as rampant in the camps. The study concludes that social economic difficulties in IDPs’ camps have greatly severed orphans living conditions and maladjustment in the hands of surrogates’ families.