Influence of internally displaced persons on land and socio- economic development in Foumbot sub- division (west region of Cameroon)

Abstract

The contemporary crises in parts of Cameroon such as the North West, South West and the Far North region of the country have caused many people to move to areas of relative security such as Foumbot Sub-division in the West Region with a great deal of pressure exerted on land resources. The quest for survival has pushed the internally displaced persons (IDPs) hosted in Foumbot Sub-division to engage in a range of activities, which are land demanding and at the same time enable the IDPs to contribute to the socio-economic development of their host communities. These activities have had some adverse implications on the environment which is of our interest. These diverse effects are instigated by the pressure on land due to increasing human population. It is pertaining to this background of events that this study sets out to investigate the influence of IDPs on land availability and their contribution to the socio-economic development of Foumbot Sub-division. Three hypotheses were set to guide the study. Research methods and techniques that were adopted and used led to data collection, processing and analysis. Secondary data were gleaned from published and unpublished documents. Primary data were gotten through filed surveys where a total of 204 respondents from 23 villages in Foumbot Sub-division provided the responses. The administration of copies of questionnaire was done using a convenient snowball sample size of 80% essentially occupied by IDPs. Additional primary data was gotten through, interviews, focus group discussions and observation where observed phenomena were captured using a camera. Inferential and non-inferential analyses were done that paved the way for the testing of hypotheses, drawing up meaningful conclusions, suggestions and policy implementations. The outcome of the data collected, treated, analysed and interpreted revealed that IDPs in Foumbot Sub-division have influenced land availability through a wide range of activities ranging from agro-pastoral, constructions to business installation amidst others which has played adversely on both land availability and also exert pressure on land. Respond scores indicated that IDPs have contributed to the socio-economic development of 65% against 20% while 15% were uneven. This is done through the payment of market tolls, provision of services such as caretaking, retailing, farming, poultry, and trade. They, however, face some challenges in the areas of finance, health, social integration, land tenure and shelter. Mitigating IDPs constraints by the State and private bodies have been ineffective. Response scores revealed 88% of the IDPs have never receive assistance while 12% had a contrary view justifying the reason why a great proportion of IDPs reported the measures are not effective. This has resulted to the adoption of various coping strategies for survival by the IDPs. This is via the creation of associations for mutual support and assistance. This study recommends that the Government and her cooperate bodies should improve the living conditions of IDPs by providing sustainable assistance, and their access to land for livelihood