Conflict-affected Communities Research Articles

Exploring existing malaria services and the feasibility of implementing community engagement approaches amongst conflict-affected communities in Cameroon: a qualitative study

BackgroundCameroon is one of the countries with the highest burden of malaria. Since 2018, there has been an ongoing conflict in the country, which has reduced access to healthcare for populations in affected regions, and little is known about the impact on access to malaria services. The objective of this study was to understand the current situation regarding access to malaria services in Cameroon to inform the design of interventions to remove barriers and encourage the use of available services.MethodsA qualitative research study was carried out to understand the barriers preventing communities accessing care, the uptake of community health worker (CHW) services, and to gather perceptions on community engagement approaches, to assess whether these could be an appropriate mechanism to encourage uptake of community health worker (CHW) services. Twenty-nine focus group discussions and 11 in-depth interviews were carried out between May and July 2021 in two regions of Cameroon, Southwest and Littoral. Focus group discussions were held with CHWs and community members and semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with key stakeholders including regional government staff, council staff, community leaders and community-based organisations. The data were analysed thematically; open, descriptive coding was combined with exploration of pre-determined investigative areas.ResultsThe study confirmed that access to healthcare has become increasingly challenging in conflict-affected areas. Although the Ministry of Health are providing CHWs to improve access, several barriers remain that limit uptake of these services including awareness, availability, cost, trust in competency, and supply of testing and treatment. This study found that communities were supportive of community engagement approaches, particularly the community dialogue approach.ConclusionCommunities in conflict-affected regions of Cameroon continue to have limited access to healthcare services, in part due to poor use of CHW services provided. Community engagement approaches can be an effective way to improve the awareness and use of CHWs. However, these approaches alone will not be sufficient to resolve all the challenges faced by conflict-affected communities when accessing health and malaria services. Additional interventions are needed to increase the availability of CHWs, improve the supply of diagnostic tests and treatments and to reduce the cost of treatment for all.

HDP Nexus Outcomes and the Integration of Peace Elements: The Case of Iraq after the ISIL Conflict

ABSTRACT Although new policy frameworks such as the humanitarian-development-peace (HDP) nexus are emerging to better respond to increasingly complex and protracted conflicts and humanitarian crises, analysis of their impact remains limited. We analyse the case of Iraq in the aftermath of the ISIL conflict with data that measures the impact of interventions from across the nexus domains. Results show that humanitarian and development outcomes improved steadily over time, while peace outcomes remained poor and relatively unchanged. Improvement in the ‘soft’ security elements of peace related to social cohesion and coexistence were superseded by a deterioration in ‘hard’ security elements linked to protection of civilians and security configurations over time. These findings are explained by the lack of integration of hard security elements into an otherwise comprehensive international response along HDP Triple Nexus components. Separate hard security interventions rather had a critically different scope focused primarily on counterterrorism without further encompassing the wider range of security issues facing conflict-affected populations, including those internally displaced seeking to return, nor did they consider the diffusion of local powers and actors in this regard. This has left particularly vulnerable displaced and conflict-affected communities without remedy as priorities in the country shift.

A formative cross-sectional study to assess caregiver’s health-seeking behaviour and knowledge surrounding malaria, and understand the burden of malaria among children under-five in conflict-affected communities of Cameroon

BackgroundMalaria remains a major global health problem often worsened by political instability and armed conflict. The purpose of the study was to explore community knowledge, attitudes and practices on malaria prevention, and to understand the burden of malaria and health-seeking behaviours of caregivers of children under-five in conflict-affected communities of the South West and Littoral Regions of Cameroon.MethodsA cross-sectional survey involving internally displaced persons (IDPS), host population, and their children under-five was conducted across 80 communities. The survey was conducted from May to June 2021. Participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Malaria prevalence for children under-five was determined using rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) on blood samples. Association between variables and displacement status was measured using chi square test and multivariate logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with adequate knowledge on malaria prevention.ResultsA total of 2386 adults participated in the study and 1543 RDTs were conducted for children under-five. Adequate levels of knowledge and attitudes on malaria prevention was recorded among 1258 (52.9%) of the participants, with very strong evidence to suggest the level to be higher among the host (59.5%) compared to the IDPs (49.5%) and returnees (39.7%) (p < 0.001). Good practices towards malaria prevention was 43.3%, with very strong evidence indicating lower levels among IDPs (42.8%) and returnees (28.5%) compared to the host (49.4%) (p < 0.001). Malaria prevalence for children under-five was 54.0% and adequate health-seeking for suspected episodes of malaria was 53.0%, without any difference among IDPs (51.78%) and returnees (48.7%) compared to host populations (55.4%) (p = 0.154). Multivariate logistic regression model showed that there was quite strong evidence to suggest primary and secondary levels of education have higher odds of having correct knowledge of malaria prevention (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.71, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11–2.64, p = 0.015 and AOR 1.80, 95% CI 1.15–2.82, p = 0.010 respectively). There was very strong evidence to suggest that owning a radio or a television was associated with greater odds of having a higher knowledge on malaria prevention (AOR 1.49, 95% CI 1.233–1.81, p = 0.000 and AOR 1.47, 95% CI 1.18–1.84, p = 0.001).ConclusionOver half of the population have correct knowledge and attitudes towards malaria prevention but gaps in complete knowledge remained. Some of the caregivers know the correct malaria preventive practices coupled with largely unsatisfactory treatment approaches and reflected by the high prevalence of malaria among their children. In order to effectively treat malaria, innovative strategies should target community participation.

SOCIAL ENGINEERING IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FOREST AND LAND REHABILITATION IN GIRIMULYO VILLAGE, LAMPUNG PROVINCE

Social engineering in conflict-affected communities is critical to the success of forest and land rehabilitation. The purpose of this study is to describe social engineering in the implementation of RHL based on local superior plants. Data collection was carried out by observation, interviews and documentation studies. The collected data were analyzed descriptively to explain social engineering in the implementation of forest rehabilitation. The results of this study show that social engineering is carried out using the principles of collaborative management and listening to what the community wants (bottom up). Coordination between relevant stakeholders needs to be improved in order to avoid differences of opinion in the implementation of activities and the need to increase the human resources of the Agro Mulyo Lestari Forest Farmer Group in order to facilitate the administrative process of managing the administration.

Correlates of post-traumatic stress disorder among adult residents of conflict-affected communities in Cross River State, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundConflict-affected communities in Nigeria experience a range of problems. These experiences have been associated with different types of mental disorders, most notably, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).AimThis study sought to assess...

Exploring the Self-Reported Physical and Psychological Effects in a Population Exposed to a Regional Conflict.

Conflict profoundly impacts community health and well-being. While post-conflict research exists, little is known about initial effects during active hostilities. To assess self-reported changes in health behaviors, distress, and care access within one month of regional warfare onset in a conflict-affected community. An online survey was conducted in November 2023 among 501 residents (mean age 40.5 years) of a community where war began October 7th. Measures evaluated physical health, mental health, diet, substance use, sleep, weight changes, and healthcare access before and after the declaration of war. Relative to pre-war, respondents reported significantly increased rates of tobacco (56%) and alcohol (15%) consumption, worsening sleep quality (63%), elevated distress (18% sought help; 14% needed but didn't receive it), and postponed medical care (36%). Over a third reported weight changes. Distress was higher among females and those endorsing maladaptive coping. Within one month, substantial impacts on community psychosocial and behavioral health emerged. Unmet mental health needs and risk-taking behaviors were early indicators of conflict's health consequences. Continuous monitoring of conflict-affected communities is needed to inform tailored interventions promoting resilience and prevent entrenchment of harms over time.

Conceptual Dissonance in Peacebuilding Research: Lessons from a Somali Diaspora

ABSTRACT Scholars recognize the important role that diasporas play in conflict dynamics, including efforts to build peace in conflict-affected communities. Broader academic research emphasizes a focus on local conditions and actors, as well as site-specific understandings of peace and peacebuilding practices. This focus on specific communities and contexts often draws on qualitative, narrative-driven data, predominantly collected through interviewing. This article identifies some of the core challenges related to data collection encountered during semi-structured interviews in a study of Somali diaspora members in Melbourne, Australia. We emphasize how issues associated with cross-cultural and gendered understandings of concepts related to peacebuilding can affect each stage of a research project, from the preliminary collection of data to the analysis and discussion of research implications. Specifically, we address challenges related to instances of conceptual dissonance that occur when researchers employ cross-cultural and gendered concepts—in this case, peace, peacebuilding, and leadership. The findings will benefit conflict researchers who work with socially distant groups and ethnically divided populations more broadly, along with those who employ interpretivist methodologies that focus on how meaning making might ultimately influence peacebuilding practices and outcomes.

Language battles in the Linguistic Landscape of a divided capital

Abstract In this paper we explore multilingual practices in the Linguistic Landscape which are geared towards commercial goals. We study simultaneously the commercial areas of two conflict-affected communities in Nicosia (Cyprus) which are divided by a UN-controlled buffer zone. Ledras (Greek-Cypriot) is a street in the south and Arasta (Turkish-Cypriot) is in the north of the divide. We investigate how these communities’ political economies and ideologies shape language choice in public space and how the language of the other community, namely Greek or Turkish, is discursively framed as economically valuable or worthless. Photographs of shopfront signs and a thematic analysis of interviews with shopkeepers revealed that language choice in Nicosia’s commercial area is highly strategic. We demonstrate that this area is a politically and economically charged space where language battles, triggered by power relations, differing language hierarchies, ideologies, and political economies, become visible in the LL.

The Integration of Point-of-Care Ultrasound into Practical Trauma Training in Ukraine: A Case Study Highlighting Feasibility, Satisfaction, and Pre- and Post-Training Comfort with the Technology

Introduction:As of October 2022, the civilian casualty count of the invasion of Ukraine is reported to be 16,295, with actual figures believed to be considerably higher. As explosive trauma continues to terrorize populations, frontline medical personnel are faced with escalating resource constraints including transport, imaging modalities, and electricity. Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) is considered the gold standard in acute trauma evaluation, but very few hospitals or pre-hospital medics have access to or training in POCUS.Method:In collaboration with the Ukrainian Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization, and the Global Health Program at Butterfly Network, Team Rubicon developed and conducted 64 practical trauma trainings and donated 50 Butterfly iQ+ portable ultrasound devices in Ukraine between August and October, 2022. Of these trainings, 19 specifically focused on the use of POCUS for trauma. Pre- and post-surveys were deployed to determine demographics, comfort level with POCUS for trauma care, and usefulness of the course.Results:In total, 149 individuals were trained in POCUS for trauma. Of these, 130 were physicians, 15 were paramedics, three were RNs, and one was a pharmacist. Only 14.8% of these clinicians self-reported any previous POCUS training. All participants reported an increase in comfort level, with an average pre- and post-course comfort scores of 1.9 and 3.3 (4=very comfortable), respectively. General satisfaction with the training was high (average score of 9.8/10). Qualitative feedback commended the quality and novelty of this training, requested further examples of pathology, and endorsed more POCUS trainings, generally. The most critical lesson learned was the need to re-orient training around the foundations of POCUS given low levels of experience and training.Conclusion:Access and training in POCUS for trauma is critical for resource-constrained medical personnel operating in conflict-affected communities. A one-day POCUS practicum-oriented course is feasible to support awareness and proficiency.

An Analysis of Non-Governmental Organisations’ Approach to Post-Conflict Peacebuilding in Northern Ghana

Non-governmental organisations in northern Ghana have been key actors in rural development and peacebuilding in conflict-affected communities. This study employed qualitative methods to critically examine how NGOs contributed to maintaining relative peace for the successful resolution of the crisis in Yendi after regicide in 2002. Forty- nine respondents were selected using purposive sampling criterion. Thematic descriptive approach was used for the analysis of the data. The research reveals that peacebuilding NGOs, in partnership with the state agencies and international community, play significant stabilisation role in post-conflict societies due to their neutrality and general acceptability to conflict parties. Based on the perspectives of interview respondents, we argue for the state to focus on creating a conducive atmosphere while NGOs and other non-state actors synergize to effectively manage conflicts in affected societies until lasting solution can be achieved. Some of the recommendation are: Donors must be expanded in order to solicit sufficient funds for successful completion of peace initiatives. NGOs must expand their scope of operations, devise a comprehensive approach for addressing adverse activities and turning them into ‘builders’ in post-conflict settings.

Gender-based violence and its associated factors among internally displaced women in Northwest Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundGender-based violence (GBV) is a common human right violence in conflict-affected communities. Women with GBV are prone to experience mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. However, there is a paucity of evidence as to what extent the problem is affecting internally displaced women (IDW) in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of GBV and its associated factors among IDW in Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among IDW residing at three humanitarian sites from May to June 2022 in Northwest Ethiopia. Study participants were selected using a stratified simple random sampling technique from the three sites. GBV was assessed using a 6-item Assessment Screen to Identify Survivors Toolkit questionnaire for Gender-based violence (ASIST-GBV). Data were analyzed using binary logistic regression. All variables with a p-value of ≤ 0.05 in the multivariable analysis were defined to have a statistically significant association with GBV at a 95% confidence interval (CI).ResultsOf 424 approached candidates, 412 (97.2%) of them participated in the study. A one-year prevalence of GBV was 37.9% (95%CI = 33.2–42.6) among IDW in Northwest Ethiopia. The mean age of the participants was 31.3 (± 7.6) years. Young women, 18–24 years old (AOR = 3.52, 95%CI = 2.15–5.34, p ≤ 0.001) and 25–29 years old (AOR = 2.41, 95%CI = 1.57–3.24, p ≤ 0.001) had a statistically significant association with GBV. Moreover, having no social protection (AOR = 3.18, 95%CI = 2.65–6.22, p ≤ 0.001), being current alcohol user (AOR = 2.54, 95%CI = 1.22–4.78, p ≤ 0.001) and being single in marital status (AOR = 1.69, 95%CI = 1.18–2.87, p < 0.01) showed a statistical association with GBV.ConclusionWe found a high prevalence of GBV among IDW in Northwest Ethiopia which indicates that IDW are prone to GBV. We call for immediate action and special attention to young women in conflict-affected parts of Ethiopia. It is crucial to establish a system that ensures the safety, security, and well-being of women in humanitarian settings.

Photography and everyday peacebuilding. Examining the impact of photographing everyday peace in Colombia

ABSTRACT Arts-based peacebuilding has gained attention, but evidence and research of its impact is fragmented and, in particular, the relationship between photography and peace is underexplored. This article examines photovoice as a tool for supporting everyday and community peace in conflict-affected communities. It identifies four ways that everyday peace indicator photovoice projects in Colombia bolstered community peace: by engendering healing, building territorial identity, enabling intergenerational dialogue, and catalysing action. These impacts emerged as photovoice built on enabling factors, extending existing community peacebuilding capacities, concerns and interventions. Reflecting on the constraints and tensions around working with photography in security-sensitive environments, we propose that participatory photography makes up a vital component of the peace photography genre. We argue that the careful, strategic harnessing of photovoice, and the visualisation of everyday peace, creates opportunities for raising the voices of conflict-affected communities, building shared imaginaries and nurturing dialogue, healing and action.

The Brother–Sister Sibling Dyad as a Pathway to Gender-Based Violence Prevention: Engaging Male Siblings in Family-Strengthening Programs in Humanitarian Settings

Household violence poses a significant threat to the physical and mental health of adolescent girls. In conflict-affected communities, increased stresses to safety, security, health, and livelihoods may heighten this risk. While it is widely evidenced that the caregiver-child relationship can increase or protect against girls’ risk of violence, less is known about the role of male siblings. Sibling Support for Adolescent Girls in Emergencies (SSAGE) used whole-family support programming to synchronously engage adolescent girls, their male siblings, and their caregivers in conflict-affected communities in Jordan and Niger, using gender-transformative approaches to explore the impacts of gender norms, power, and violence and encourage support and emotional connection. We conducted qualitative research activities, including focus group discussions, participatory group activities, and in-depth, paired, and key informant interviews with 469 SSAGE participants and program facilitators to explore SSAGE’s impact on the male-female sibling dyad in both settings. The multi-stakeholder team used a collaborative thematic analysis approach to identify emergent themes. Findings suggest that the inclusion of male siblings in family strengthening programs may have a positive impact on factors related to girls’ protection, with research participants discussing decreased perpetration of physical and verbal violence by male siblings, increased equity in household labor between siblings, and improved trust and mutual support among siblings. These changes were facilitated by improved communication and interrogation of positive gender identities. In humanitarian settings, interventions that support more gender-transformative, egalitarian, and emotionally effective relationships between male-female siblings can work towards improving girls’ protective assets. More research on the impact of this relationship on girls’ experience of immediate and long-term experience of violence is needed. In settings where gender power dynamics among male-female siblings are less salient, other relationship dyads should be explored.

From A to Zari: the impact of Baghch-e-Simsim on gender equity attitudes among children and parents in Afghanistan

Inequitable access to education is a widely acknowledged development challenge, an issue even more pronounced in conflict-affected communities like Afghanistan, where insecurity and violence targeted against education exacerbates barriers that keep children, especially girls, from going to school. To address these challenges, Baghch-e-Simsim ( BSS), a locally produced children’s television show, has focused on academic skills and gender equity for children and their families in Afghanistan. This paper will analyze the impact of BSS on the views of gender norms of children and parents using data from two studies: a nationally representative quasi-experimental evaluation of 3025 TV-viewing households and an in-depth qualitative encourage-to-view study of twenty households in Kabul. Overall findings will show that families who frequently view BSS have more gender equitable beliefs. Findings will also show that there is variability among parents on the appropriateness of boys and girls playing together outside, largely driven by security concerns rather than cultural gender norms. Recommendations will focus on the importance of continuing to create mass media content for young children that supports gender equity, but that content must also begin to reflect and address the security concerns facing parents that keep girls out of school.

Knowledge and Practices Related to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene among Household Residents in Selected Districts, Abyan Governorate

Introduction: Yemen is among the most water-stressed countries in the world, due to a naturally dry climate, regional drought in recent years, and falling groundwater levels due to unsustainable drilling. This work aimed to assess the current knowledge and practices on water, hygiene, and sanitation in conflict-affected communities and internally displaced people in selected districts of Abyan governorate - Yemen. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional house-to-house survey was conducted in 2019 in three rural districts in Abyan governorate, Yemen. A total of 446 households were randomly selected and a structured interview questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents through face-to-face interviews. Data were checked, cleaned, and entered to the SPSS version 22 for analysis. Results: The participants had inadequate knowledge and practices on water, sanitation, and hygiene. Only less than a quarter of the participants received any related education. The surveyed households had poor socioeconomic conditions such as poverty and illiteracy. Both water quantity and quality were inadequate, open defecation still exists, and open dumping of solid waste is common. Conclusion: This study calls for an urgent solution to address the challenges regarding inadequate quantity and quality of water in the surveyed areas. Moreover, it is of paramount importance to address the socio-economic vulnerabilities such as poverty, and illiteracy, and to maintain medium- and long-term solutions for water provision and environmental sanitation. For effective implementation of these solutions, education tailored to the context and the need of the population should be designed.

Localizing Responses to Gender-Based Violence: The Case of Women-Led Community-Based Organizations in Jordan

Abstract While the rationale for localizing humanitarian health response is well established at the level of policy rhetoric, the operationalization of the concept and its mainstreaming into concrete practice still require clearer intentionality. With COVID-19 pushing more people further into vulnerability, placing local communities at the heart of humanitarian and development health efforts has never been more urgent. Focusing on Jordan, this essay brings attention to the significant toll of violence against women and girls in conflict-affected communities and the importance of empowering local actors with community knowledge and resources to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. The essay follows on from the research conducted for CARE Jordan's She Is a Humanitarian report (2022) and draws on interviews I conducted with the heads of women's organizations in the summer of 2022. The essay explores the role of local women humanitarian actors as frontline responders, the challenges that hinder their role, and the advantages such actors enjoy, which, if harnessed, can achieve gains in accountability, health service quality, and gender equality.

Preparing Children for an Unpredictable World in the Middle of a Crisis: La Aldea's Approach

No one was prepared when COVID-19 hit. While education systems all over the world turned to distance learning, countries like Colombia faced a significant challenge: only 75 percent of Colombian teachers had received training in online teaching, 64 percent of school principals considered the technology available to schools to be insufficient, and only 67 percent of 15-year-old students had internet access (OECD 2019). And what about the families living in at-risk contexts and facing additional economic and health pressures? The time was ripe to scale up La Aldea—a flexible, learner-centered strategy whose content and methods are designed to meet the needs of the child at the end of the proverbial "last mile." La Aldea is a strategy created by ClickArte, a Colombian organization that specializes in designing and implementing educational projects. Using its print books, radio shows, digital content, songs, and games, La Aldea was disseminated throughout the country via UNICEF Colombia's education in emergencies strategy. It also provided online training sessions to 4,220 teachers. It ultimately reached 87,667 families and children. This immediate, comprehensive, multimedia, multistakeholder plan was adapted to reach every child in Colombia's formal and nonformal education settings in migrant and conflict-affected communities. La Aldea education strategy is composed of carefully crafted stories whose main characters are animals found in Colombia (such as macaws, tapirs, owls, anteaters, among others). The stories and activities that make up La Aldea are metaphors of society: children, families, and teachers can self-identify with the situations being portrayed, hence giving schools material to integrate playfully into the teaching curricula, while at the same time nudging children's cognitive, citizenship, and social-emotional skills—and, of course, COVID-19 awareness.

Does conflict experience affect participatory democracy after war? Evidence from Colombia

Broad political participation is widely accepted as a crucial element of transitions from armed conflict to peace. As such, reforms to increase access to participatory democracy are often written into peace accords. Yet despite this connection between peace and participation in policy, we know relatively little about how the two interact in practice. Who uses participatory institutions? Does civilians’ experience during armed conflict affect how they participate after war ends? This article examines an unlikely case of post-conflict participation in Colombia to answer these questions: the activation and organization of local referenda from below – that is, by conflict-affected communities themselves – to contest the national government’s mining and oil policy. Using an original dataset of 95 municipality-level attempts to organize these referenda ( consultas populares), I find that both conflict intensity and insurgent group presence have significant and positive effects on consulta activation. The impact of insurgent group presence, however, is mediated by the timing of armed groups’ consolidation of territorial control. I further explore this relationship through a qualitative case study. The results highlight the importance of considering the lingering impact that armed conflict may have on democratic participation beyond electoral politics. Even when communities explicitly avoid references to conflict or victim status in their discourse, experiences during armed conflict can still shape local dynamics of political participation during post-conflict transitions.

Dynamics of peace or legacy of rebel governance? Patterns of cooperation between FARC-ex-combatants and conflict-affected communities in Colombia

ABSTRACT In the academic literature, it is widely accepted that one of the most difficult steps in a peace process is the reincorporation of former combatants. Colombia is a case in point. After the peace agreement with the former rebel group FARC-EP in 2016, the reintegration process of more than 13.000 ex-combatants has been marred with difficulties, be it half-hearted implementation of the stipulations of the accord from the side of the government or the re-armament of some dissident groups. However, the dynamics of the peace process differ considerably between the national and the local level, offering a wide range of pathways from even more violent confrontation up to successful reincorporation projects. In order to explain this variety, we integrate DDR and rebel governance studies and assume that socio-political orders need to be re-configurated when rebel groups have established strong forms of rebel governance, as was the case with the FARC-EP. We argue that patterns of interaction between local conflict-affected communities and ex-combatants are the key explanatory variables for the dynamics of peace processes at local level. We differentiate between clustered and entrenched post-war orders and demonstrate our argument with two case studies based on comprehensive field research.

Screening and Interventions for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in the Limpopo Province, South Africa: Use of the Community Action Model.

The rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has been attributed to economic growth in developing countries, shifts in societal norms, and behaviors such as dietary habits and physical activity. Up to 80% of NCDs could be prevented by eliminating shared risk factors, mainly tobacco use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and the harmful use of alcohol. The South African government's national strategic plan to control NCDs, which includes cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention, places a strong emphasis on the need to improve the prevention, detection, early intervention, and management of NCDs. In line with the above recommendations, this study aimed to screen rural communities using the non-laboratory INTERHEART Risk Score tool (NLIRS) and develop relevant and suitable intervention strategies for a patient at moderate risk of developing a heart attack. A quantitative research approach applying a household-based design was used to conduct this study and the community action model (CAM). The difference between pre-intervention and post-intervention results were analyzed using a t-test and Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with age, smoke, hypertension, and diabetes as the covariates. The study found a significant difference in proportions between pre and post-intervention for raised Systole (SBP), obesity by body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC). In rural communities, using CAM to improve knowledge and behavioral practices of NCD risk factors is feasible and effective. This basket of interventions will assist community members in reducing their risk of developing metabolic syndromes as well as their risk of developing CVDs. Continued investment and research in CVD prevention interventions are required to improve health, reduce costs, and have long-term benefits for conflict-affected individuals and communities.