Movers or Stayers? Understanding the Drivers of IDP Camp Decongestion During Post-Conflict Recovery in Uganda

Abstract

Standard-Nutzungsbedingungen:Die Dokumente auf EconStor dürfen zu eigenen wissenschaftlichen Zwecken und zum Privatgebrauch gespeichert und kopiert werden.Sie dürfen die Dokumente nicht für öffentliche oder kommerzielle Zwecke vervielfältigen, öffentlich ausstellen, öffentlich zugänglich machen, vertreiben oder anderweitig nutzen.Sofern die Verfasser die Dokumente unter Open-Content-Lizenzen (insbesondere CC-Lizenzen) zur Verfügung gestellt haben sollten, gelten abweichend von diesen Nutzungsbedingungen die in der dort genannten Lizenz gewährten Nutzungsrechte. Terms of use: Documents in AbstractThe paper explores factors that influence the household decision to leave internal displacement camps in the immediate aftermath of violent conflict. Our analysis is based on two sources of information: household survey data collected in northern Uganda for households that were displaced by the civil conflict, and geo-referenced data on armed conflict events, with which we construct our developed index of recent conflict exposure. We compare households that moved out of camps with those that remained in the camps after the region was declared safe from rebel incursions. The study covers the first few months of the end of conflict, when return was regarded as largely voluntary. We find that a history of conflict both at the place of residence, and at the expected place of return reduces the likelihood of return. Access to camp services overall encourages households to stay in camps, although the effect varies with the proportion of young household members. Results also show that a history of economic skills poses varying effects on return decisions. While experience in cultivation is associated with a high likelihood of moving out of the camp, households with members with recent experience in trading are less inclined to return. From a policy perspective, the results point to the need for recovery initiatives to ensure access to adequate infrastructures in return locations in order to fast-track reintegration.

Prolonged Internal Displacement and Common Mental Disorders in Sri Lanka: The COMRAID Study

“…Lack of proper employment may be due to geographical resource limitations, as the IDP population has substantially grown in numbers since initial displacement. Displacement itself may also have acted as a barrier against obtaining sustainable employment, as many traditional employment pathways were disrupted [18]. Finally, difficulties in engaging host communities to accept IDP workers and tensions emanating from limited available resources may also compound unemployment and related socio-economic situation.…”

“…IDPs are often neglected when displacement is prolonged, with adverse social, cultural, economical and health impacts [14]–[16]. Continuation of conflict in the area of origin has been found to be associated with poorer mental health outcomes in those displaced [17], [18]. Most forced and prolonged displacement takes place against a backdrop of resource-poor settings where social vulnerability, lack of adequate infrastructure along with loss of hope for the future can act to compound the already raised risk of mental disorders among IDP populations [18].…”

Forced migration and mental health: prolonged internal displacement, return migration and resilience

“…The return/resettling may be voluntary or imposed. 28 Studies conducted among conflict-affected populations show that security, livelihood, past conflict impact and availability of services play a role in the return migration process. 28 Return migration to areas of origin may itself become a complicated and traumatising event, especially after prolonged displacement.…”

“…28 Studies conducted among conflict-affected populations show that security, livelihood, past conflict impact and availability of services play a role in the return migration process. 28 Return migration to areas of origin may itself become a complicated and traumatising event, especially after prolonged displacement. Social and cultural links established with the host community may be broken and compromised, over-optimistic expectations in original migrants about returning 'home' may not be met, and generations born in displacement may be adversely affected by moving to an unfamiliar place.…”

Measuring Violent Conflict in Micro-Level Surveys: Current Practices and Methodological Challenges

“…Additionally, the survey identifies whether the person was a combatant, thus providing important Brück et al information on how combatants and displaced civilians may experience violence. Studies using the NULS 2007 includeMuhumuza (2011 and.…”