Abuja: Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the Durumi Camp in Abuja have appealed for urgent government intervention and access to farmland to support women-led households. The appeal was made during a visit on Thursday by Lily Grace, a UK-based philanthropist and founder of Chat My Cause Farmers’ Initiative International.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, Grace said many displaced women had been neglected for over a decade, without sustainable support or livelihood opportunities. ‘These women are not asking for handouts. They want land to farm, feed their children, and live in dignity,’ she said. She urged the Federal Government, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and other stakeholders to make farmland accessible near the camp.

Grace emphasized that providing land would enable them to support the women with seeds, tools, and training. She described the living conditions at Durumi Camp as a ‘long-term humanitarian failure’, highlighting that displaced families lived in makeshift shelters, faced repeated demolitions, and lacked access to farmland. She called on President Bola Tinubu, the FCT Minister, and relevant agencies to allocate land close to the camp to enable farming activities.

Halima Abubakar, the Women’s Coordinator in the camp, noted that most displaced women were farmers before insurgency forced them from their communities. ‘We know farming. That’s our skill. But here, there’s no land and no way to transport ourselves to distant areas,’ she said. Abubakar stated that over 3,500 women and children live in the camp, surviving mainly on short-term donations. ‘We need land. Even small plots will help us grow food and support our families,’ she added.

Another displaced woman, Liyatu Ayua, shared her experience, recounting the loss of her family and the challenging living conditions. Similarly, Fatima Abubakar, who once farmed maize and groundnuts, said she now depends on charity. Aisha Bello also expressed frustration but remained hopeful, keeping seeds in anticipation of obtaining land.

An elderly resident, Idris Ibrahim, expressed gratitude for Grace’s visit. Grace concluded her visit with a plea to leaders and stakeholders to prioritize displaced women’s welfare and urged the private sector, NGOs, and development partners to support long-term solutions, including farmland access and livelihood empowerment.

Efforts by Chat My Cause to obtain comments from the Refugee Commission and NEMA were unsuccessful.