Terrorism in the Lake Chad Region: Integration of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons

The Lake Chad region is an intersection of four countries, namely Cameroon, Chad, Nigeria, and Niger, and has been a battleground of terrorism in recent years. While much is known about the devastating impact of the activities of Boko Haram, there is a dearth of empirical research on how individuals displaced by terrorism in the Lake Chad region have been integrated into new communities. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the experiences of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) regarding their integration into new communities in the Lake Chad region. The study adopted a qualitative design, that is, interviews and focus group discussions, to interact with participants from nine communities in Cameroon and Nigeria. Sixty-seven participants consisting of refugees, IDPs, host community leaders, and camp leaders were recruited to share their experiences. The study found similarities in the experiences of refugees and IDPs. Specifically, the study found that common identity (i.e. common culture and languages) enhanced social connection, safety, and integration of the refugees and IDPs into new communities. However, little has been done in terms of job creation, to enable refugees to have a source of livelihood, access to property, and essential services. The study has implications for policy-making in terms of governments in the Lake Chad region capitalizing on common identity and developing employable programs which will revitalize the economy of the region.