Flood displacement and health access for women girls and persons with disabilities in temporary camps
1
SDG Alliance, Yola, Nigeria
2
Society for Family Health, Kano, Nigeria
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Climate-related flooding increasingly disrupts health systems and access to care. Women, girls, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) face higher risks during displacement due to unmet needs related to privacy, mobility, and communication. In Adamawa State, Nigeria, recurrent flooding has led to the rapid establishment of temporary internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, often without inclusive planning. This study examined how flood-related displacement affects health access and equity for women, girls, and PWDs living in temporary camp settings.
METHODS:
A mixed-methods study was conducted between August-October 2025 in temporary IDP camps in Yola. Structured surveys were administered to 120 displaced persons, including 72 women, 28 adolescent girls, and 20 PWDs. Surveys assessed access to health services, sanitation, mobility, and health information. Qualitative data were collected through 3 focus group discussions and 10 key informant interviews with displaced persons, health workers, camp leaders, and disability advocates. Quantitative data were summarised using simple counts, and qualitative data were analysed thematically.
RESULTS:
Among 120 respondents, 84 reported disrupted access to health services after displacement. Lack of privacy during health consultations was reported by 49 women and girls, while 61 reported limited access to menstrual hygiene materials. Missed reproductive or maternal health services were reported by 18 women and girls. Among 20 PWDs, 16 reported difficulty moving within the camp, including accessing clinics and toilets due to physical barriers. Thirteen reported exclusion from health awareness activities because sign language interpretation was absent or inappropriate. Qualitative findings highlighted non-inclusive evacuation processes, inaccessible infrastructure, and communication gaps that reinforced exclusion across the camp setting.
CONCLUSIONS:
Temporary displacement camps often fail to support equitable access to health care for women, girls, and PWDs. Public health responses to climate-related displacement should prioritise inclusive camp design, accessible health services, and disability-sensitive communication to reduce inequities and strengthen health system resilience.
Climate-related flooding increasingly disrupts health systems and access to care. Women, girls, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) face higher risks during displacement due to unmet needs related to privacy, mobility, and communication. In Adamawa State, Nigeria, recurrent flooding has led to the rapid establishment of temporary internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, often without inclusive planning. This study examined how flood-related displacement affects health access and equity for women, girls, and PWDs living in temporary camp settings.
METHODS:
A mixed-methods study was conducted between August-October 2025 in temporary IDP camps in Yola. Structured surveys were administered to 120 displaced persons, including 72 women, 28 adolescent girls, and 20 PWDs. Surveys assessed access to health services, sanitation, mobility, and health information. Qualitative data were collected through 3 focus group discussions and 10 key informant interviews with displaced persons, health workers, camp leaders, and disability advocates. Quantitative data were summarised using simple counts, and qualitative data were analysed thematically.
RESULTS:
Among 120 respondents, 84 reported disrupted access to health services after displacement. Lack of privacy during health consultations was reported by 49 women and girls, while 61 reported limited access to menstrual hygiene materials. Missed reproductive or maternal health services were reported by 18 women and girls. Among 20 PWDs, 16 reported difficulty moving within the camp, including accessing clinics and toilets due to physical barriers. Thirteen reported exclusion from health awareness activities because sign language interpretation was absent or inappropriate. Qualitative findings highlighted non-inclusive evacuation processes, inaccessible infrastructure, and communication gaps that reinforced exclusion across the camp setting.
CONCLUSIONS:
Temporary displacement camps often fail to support equitable access to health care for women, girls, and PWDs. Public health responses to climate-related displacement should prioritise inclusive camp design, accessible health services, and disability-sensitive communication to reduce inequities and strengthen health system resilience.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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