An Assessment of the Impacts of War Induced Internal Displacement on Human Security: The Case Of North Gondar Administrative Zone

Abstract

The overall objective of the study was to investigate the effect of war induced displacement on human security among internally displaced persons in North - Gondar; particularly at Debark Town. In order to achieve this goal, the study employed descriptive cross sectional research design, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methods. The target population for this study was IDPs in camp settlements at Debark Town aid workers from humanitarian organizations, and government officials. A total of 214 IDPs were participated in the study. The major instruments for collection of data for the study were questionnaire, interview, and focus group discussion (FGD). Descriptive statistics were conducted to analyze quantitative data and thematic analysis was used in the analysis of qualitative data. The result of descriptive statistics revealed that the majority of the IDPs do not have adequate income; the economic sources of the IDPs were minimal. Overall, the current livelihood of IDPs was low in quality. It is generally concluded that IDPs faced high financial challenges, such as the loss of assets and employment, drop in income financial pressures, degradation of financial resources, inability to afford household properties and the like. Therefore, the results of the present study indicated that internal displacement leads to food insecurity, economic insecurity, difficulty to access quality health services, vulnerability to personal insecurity, and community insecurity. In general, it is concluded that internally displaced persons are prone to human insecurity. As far as the copying strategy, results of the present study indicated that IDPs tend to use negative coping strategies. Furthermore, the levels of the quantity and quality of humanitarian assistance being provided to IDPs are moderate and often inadequate.