Abstract: The rise in forced displacement of households has become a global trend. Coping with the challenges faced by internally displaced persons is not only about people finding new ways of providing the basic needs of their families, but about finding new ways of meeting their emotional, spiritual and social needs. This paper examined the psychosocial and economic consequences and coping strategies of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Jigawa State, Nigeria. The objectives were to examine the psychological and economic consequences associated with internal displacement as well as the strategies adopted by IDPs to cope with their situation. A self-designed instrument was used to collect the required data. A total of 375 respondents were sampled for the study using the snowball sampling technique, however, 317 were found useful for analysis. The study revealed that the major psychological and social consequences suffered by IDPs are trauma (20%) and hunger and starvation (51%). The key economic consequences of internal displacement are unemployment (44%) and lack of income (29%). Findings indicate that 66% did not receive counseling for emotional distress. The key coping strategies include engaging in prayers and meditation and self-employment. Thus, all government agencies responsible for protecting and assisting IDPs and other local actors should provide counseling and vocational services for displaced persons in Nigeria. The Federal and State Governments must strengthen the security system in Nigeria to enable them return to their homes.
Key words: Coping strategies, Internally displaced persons, Host communities, Psychosocial and economic consequences