Refugee Camps Research Articles

Impacts of an abbreviated personal agency training with refugee women and their male partners on economic empowerment, gender-based violence, and mental health: a randomized controlled trial in Rwanda

IntroductionWe assessed the impact of a personal agency-based training for refugee women and their male partners on their economic and social empowerment, rates of intimate partner violence (IPV), and non-partner violence (NPV).MethodsWe conducted an individually randomized controlled trial with 1061 partnered women (aged 18–45) living in a refugee camp in Rwanda. Women received two days of training, and their partners received one day of training. The follow-up survey where all relevant outcomes were assessed was carried out at 6–9 months post-intervention.ResultsAt follow up, women in the intervention arm were more likely to report partaking in income generating activities (aIRR 1.27 (1.04–1.54), p < 0.05) and skill learning (aIRR 1.59 (1.39–1.82), p < 0.001) and reported a reduction in experience of physical or sexual NPV in the past six months (aIRR 0.65 (0.39–1.07), p < 0.09). While improved, no statistically significant impacts were seen on physical or sexual IPV (aIRR 0.80 (0.58–1.09), p = 0.16), food insecurity (β 0.98 (0.93 to 1.03), p = 0.396), or clean cookstove uptake (aIRR 0.95 (0.88 to 1.01), p = 0.113) in the past six months. We found statistically significant reduction in physical and sexual IPV amongst those experiencing IPV at baseline (aIRR 0.72 (0.50 to 1.02), p < 0.07). Small improvements in self-efficacy scores and our indicator of adapting to stress were seen in the intervention arm. Some challenges were also seen, such as higher prevalence of probable depression and/or anxiety (aIRR 1.79 (1.00-3.22), p = 0.05) and PTSD (aIRR 2.07 (1.10–3.91), p < 0.05) in the intervention arm compared to the control arm.ConclusionOur findings echo previous research showing personal agency training can support economic well-being of women. We also find potentially promising impacts on gender-based violence. However, there is some evidence that integration of evidence-based mental health support is important when enhancing agency amongst conflict-affected populations.Trial registration numberThe trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT04081441 on 09/09/2019.

Calais Topographics: A Photo Essay

The photos in this essay were taken in 2019, three years after the Jungle camp, Calais’ largest improvised refugee camp, had been cleared in 2016 and re-landscaped into an eco-park. The images focus on what I see as the ‘new topographics’ of the Calais landscape, a name borrowed from William Jenkins’ (1974, 1975) influential New Topographics exhibition from 1975 which radicalised the often romantic view of landscape photography to focus on ‘man-altered’ landscapes and infrastructures. In this series of photos, the infrastructures are those that participate in upholding the UK border in France.

Epidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis in children of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

In Pakistan, cutaneous leishmaniasis is an emerging tropical disease and a very high number (>70%) of children are afflicted by this marring infection. This study aimed to scrutinise the prevalence, spatial distribution and socio-demographic and behavioural risk factors associated with cutaneous leishmaniasis in children aged <5-15 years in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A total of 1, 559 clinically confirmed records of children diagnosed with cutaneous leishmaniasis (January-December) from 2020 and 2022 were obtained from selected district hospitals. In addition, a risk factors-related questionnaire was administered to 1, 011 households (400 in 2020 and 611 in 2022) in nine districts during a household survey. The maximum number of cutaneous leishmaniasis cases was recorded in 2022 (n = 877, 56.25%) as compared to 2020 (n = 682, 43.75%). The hospital records showed a greater number of male patients in the 2022 cohort (n = 603, 68.76%). The highest number of cases were observed in children aged 5-9 years in 2022 (n = 282, 32.16%) and 2020 (n = 255, 37.39%). In 2020 and 2022, cutaneous leishmaniasis cases showed peak aggregation in March (n = 118, 17.3%) and January (n = 322, 36.72%). From a spatial analysis, the maximum number of cutaneous leishmaniasis cases was recorded at 59-1700 m elevation in various land-use/land-cover and climatic regions with quaternary alluvium rock formations. A multivariate logistic regression model analysis of risk factors from the households survey suggested that age group, socio-economic status, construction materials of the house, use of insect repellents, Afghan refugee camps in the village/district, knowledge and biting times of sand flies, frequent use of mosquito bed nets, presence of domestic animals in the house, knowledge of the transmission period and peak month of leishmaniasis infection increased the risk of acquiring cutaneous leishmaniasis (p value < 0.05). Our analysis demonstrated that cutaneous leishmaniasis in children is influenced by a variety of environmental, socio-demographic and behavioural risk factors in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The increase in recorded cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis in children in 2022 compared to 2020 suggests that the infection likely extended to new foci in the province.

Asylum seekers, Refugees and Social Safety Nets: Opportunities and Challenges at Tongogara Refugee Camp, Chipinge, Zimbabwe

Asylum seekers, Refugees and Social Safety Nets: Opportunities and Challenges at Tongogara Refugee Camp, Chipinge, Zimbabwe

Enhancing Mental Health Predictions: A Gradient Boosted Model for Sri Lankan Camp Refugees

This study explores the mental health challenges encountered by Sri Lankan camp refugees, a population often marginalized in mental health research, and analyzes a range of factors including socio-demographic characteristics, living conditions in camps, and psychological variables. In quantitative mental health research, linear regression serves as a conventional approach for assessing the influence of diverse factors on mental health outcomes. However, this method fails to accommodate non-linear relationships between mental health variables and predictors and relies on stringent model assumptions that often do not align with real-world conditions. This study introduces a model-agnostic, advanced machine learning/artificial intelligence (ML/AI) technique, glmboost, as a viable alternative to linear regression. The glmboost algorithm is capable of fitting non-linear prediction models while also conducting variable selection. Moreover, the coefficients obtained from the glmboost model retain the same interpretability as those derived from linear regression. While the glmboost model identifies several key factors including post-migration living difficulties, post-traumatic stress disorder, difficulty in sleeping, poor family functioning, and lower informal support from families as markers of declining mental well-being among the Sri Lankan refugees, the linear regression overlooks vital predictors such as family functioning and family support, highlighting the importance of utilizing advanced ML/AI techniques like glmboost to comprehensively capture complex relationships between predictor variables and mental health outcomes among refugee populations. Thus, by introducing a novel, data-driven approach to mental health risk assessment, this study paves the way for more precise and efficient analyses and interventions in refugee settings, with the potential for improved resource allocation and personalized support, thus revolutionizing mental health service delivery in challenging environments. Additionally, it contributes to the academic discussion on refugee mental health while emphasizing the pivotal role of advanced data analytics in addressing complex health issues within humanitarian contexts.

Readiness for mHealth interventions in Jordan: Refugee camp and urban community survey

Jordan hosts one of the largest populations of refugees in the world. This study evaluated the capacity, infrastructure, and interest in mobile health interventions to address unmet mental health needs among refugees and non-refugees in Jordan. We surveyed 209 (141 refugees) adults and youth in urban, rural, and refugee camp settings. Survey results indicated that mobile device ownership was lower among refugees than non-refugees (71 % vs. 100 %, respectively). Refugee phone users had less access to smartphones than non-refugees (75 % vs. 96 %, respectively). Refugees and non-refugees reported using mobile devices for diverse activities including calling (83 % vs. 100 %, respectively), texting (28 % vs. 87 %, respectively) social media (45 % vs. 94 %, respectively), watching videos (23 % vs. 90 %, respectively), and studying (34 % vs. 72 %, respectively). Most respondents had reliable access to electricity (75 % vs. 99 %, respectively) and to mobile-cellular service (67 % vs. 97 %, respectively). Refugees and non-refugees differed substantially in their access to WiFi (14 % vs. 91 %, respectively). Both groups identified anger, anxiety, depression, traumatic memories, and eating problems as the most common mental health problems in their communities. Approximately half of refugees (44 %) and non-refugees (50 %) reported that their communities had insufficient or no access to mental health resources. Most refugees (78 %) and non-refugee (87 %) believed that using mobile devices to provide support for people with mental health conditions would be helpful. Overall, both groups' reported access to mobile technologies and openness to digital mental health treatment options suggest that mHealth interventions may be feasible and welcomed in these communities.

"What Kind of Court Is This?": Perceptions of International Justice Among Rohingya Refugees

ABSTRACT: In the context of mass atrocities, the legitimacy of institutions for international justice—such as the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice—is based on the assumption that they vindicate demands for accountability by the survivors of horrific human rights violations. Yet, notwithstanding advances in victim representation at these Hague-based courts, victim-centered justice remains elusive. This article contributes to centering the voices of survivors in their specific cultural contexts, against the backdrop of existing efforts that too often render invisible their perspectives. Through semi-structured interviews, conducted in late 2022, with 444 Rohingya survivors of genocide who have fled Myanmar to refugee camps in neighboring Bangladesh, we attempt to convey the priorities of these survivors situated within their cultural understanding of justice. We contextualize the empirical data gathered from the survey within Rohingyas' lived experiences of persecution in Myanmar, their cultural framings of communal justice, and their current reality of prolonged displacement in refugee camps in Bangladesh. The article concludes by describing the implications of this survey's findings on future engagement of the Rohingya in international justice processes, and a wider reflection on how grassroots perspectives can and should shape the global justice discourse.

Assessing the mental health needs of Yazidi adolescents and young adults in an Iraqi Kurdi IDP Camp: a focus group study

BackgroundInternally displaced people (IDP) in Iraq are 1.2 million (as March 2023). Protracted refugee status endangers the mental health, especially of minorities who survived persecution and conflict, such as the Yazidis. This study aims to identify the mental health needs of Yazidi adolescents and young adults (AYA) in the IDP camp of Bajed Kandala (Iraqi Kurdistan).MethodsA focus group discussion (FGD) study was conducted between April and August 2022. The FGDs involved AYAs, as well as the staff of the clinic of the Bajed Kandala camp. An inductive approach was adopted referring to the ’theme’ as the unit of content analysis of the text. All FGDs were recorded and transcribed. The analysis was carried out independently by two researchers. The inter-rater agreement was assessed through the Cohen’s k.ResultsA total of 6 FGDs were conducted. The participants were 34 of whom 21 (61.8%) females with a median age of 18.5 years (IQR 17.0–21.0). A total of 156 themes were found as relevant to the objective of this study. Four main areas and twelve subareas of needs in mental health were identified. The interrater agreement over the main area and subareas was good (κ = 0.78 [0.95CI 0.69–0.88], κ = 0.82 [0.95CI 0.73–0.91], respectively). The four areas had a similar frequency: Activities (28.2%), Individual (27.6%), Social relationships (22.4%) and Places/setting (21.8%). The subareas ‘community’ and ‘internal resources’ were labelled as negative 85.7% and 61.9% of the time, respectively. These sub-areas referred to stigma and self-stigma towards mental health. The subarea ‘female condition’ was always considered as negative, as well as the subareas ‘camp’ and ‘tent’ referring to housing as an important social determinant of mental health.ConclusionsCommunity stigma and self-stigma are two still important factors preventing the achievement of mental well-being. Alongside these, a gender gap in mental health was identified in the FGDs. These factors should be taken into account in order to guide future mental health interventions in refugee camps.

Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Kakuma Refugee Camp Complex, Kenya, 2020-20211.

Understanding SARS-CoV-2 infection in populations at increased risk for poor health is critical to reducing disease. We describe the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Kakuma Refugee Camp Complex, Kenya. We performed descriptive analyses of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the camp and surrounding community during March 16, 2020‒December 31, 2021. We identified cases in accordance with national guidelines.We estimated fatality ratios and attack rates over time using locally weighted scatterplot smoothing for refugees, host community members, and national population. Of the 18,864 SARS-CoV-2 tests performed, 1,024 were positive, collected from 664 refugees and 360 host community members. Attack rates were 325.0/100,000 population (CFR 2.9%) for refugees,150.2/100,000 population (CFR 1.11%) for community, and 628.8/100,000 population (CFR 1.83%) nationwide. During 2020-2021, refugees experienced a lower attack rate but higher CFR than the national population, underscoring the need to prioritize SARS-CoV-2 mitigation measures, including vaccination.

Initial Fire Safety Analysis of Shelters in Zaatari and Azraq Refugee Camps

Initial Fire Safety Analysis of Shelters in Zaatari and Azraq Refugee Camps

Rohingya Refugees in Indonesia: Risk Evaluation to National Security and Resilience

This study aims to evaluate the risks to Indonesia's national security and resilience due to the arrival of Rohingya refugees. The focus of this research is on the impact of Rohingya refugees in Indonesia. This study uses a qualitative approach and combines primary data from interviews with relevant stakeholders and secondary data from official sources. The results identified several potential threats to national security and resilience, including instability in refugee camps, violent practices within camps, and impacts on local communities. Research also highlights the importance of effective conflict integration and management in preventing a potential escalation of conflict among Rohingya refugees and local communities. The conclusion of the study provides recommendations to strengthen risk management strategies for the Indonesian government, the Rohingya refugee community, and the international parties involved. By considering this context, the study contributes to a better understanding of how the presence of Rohingya refugees can affect Indonesia's national security and resilience.

'Here we Punish, Here we Discipline': Forced Displacement, Silencing and the Multiple Faces of Violence in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique

Forced displacement and silencing are inextricably bound for communities who have experienced different forms of violence in different contexts. This article explores the narratives about the war that began on 5 October 2017 in the district of Mocímboa da Praia, on the coast of the province of Cabo Delgado, northern Mozambique, by a group of radical guerrillas locally known as mashababe. Since then, from isolated attacks on remote villages, violence has spread to more districts in the region, with kidnappings of civilians, looting of barns and houses, thus imposing the forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of people in addition to an inestimable number of dead and missing people. This article combines the history and ethnographic work carried out between 2018 and 2021 with the homeless populations from conflict regions and hosted in the 'Nacaca Displaced Persons Camp' (Campo de Deslocados de Nacaca), built in the district of Montepuez, south of Cabo Delgado, a region previously considered safe. The aim of this paper is to analyse how the multiple faces of traumatic violence (physical, psychological and symbolic) are processed in which war victims are continually exposed through silencing imposed by different actors who frequent their new places of refuge.

They do their utmost: promise and limits of palliative care in two refugee camps in Rwanda, a qualitative study

ABSTRACT After often gruelling journeys, some refugees arrive at secure locations with severe injury or illness. Others find themselves shortly thereafter facing a life-limiting health condition. Palliative care has been the focus of recent research, and of academic and aid sector dialogue. In this study, we ask: What are experiences and needs of patients and care providers? What opportunities and obstacles exist to enhance or introduce means of reducing suffering for patients facing serious illness and injury in crisis settings? We present findings of a qualitative sub-study within a larger programme of research exploring moral and practical dimensions of palliative care in humanitarian crisis contexts. This paper presents vignettes about palliative care from refugees and care providers in two refugee camps in Rwanda, and is among the first to provide empirical evidence on first-hand experiences of individuals who have fled protracted conflict and face dying far from home. Along with narratives of their experiences, participants provided a range of recommendations from small (micro) interventions that are low cost, but high impact, through to larger (macro) changes at the systems and societal levels of benefit to policy developers and decision-makers.

Fuelwood Supply Consumption and Dynamic on Forest Resource in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Turkana County Kenya

Fuelwood Supply Consumption and Dynamic on Forest Resource in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Turkana County Kenya

Anthropogenic Pressures on Gorillas: A Case of Grauer’s Gorillas in Maiko National Park, the Democratic Republic of Congo

Anthropogenic activities put biodiversity under pressure, adversely affecting the forest ecosystem and wildlife habitats. Habitat disturbance and modification are among the main threats to animal populations in tropical forests. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Grauer’s gorillas (Gorilla beringei graueri) are continuously threatened through forest encroachment for agricultural expansion, human settlements, new refugee camps, illegal logging, and mining across the country. Moreover, poaching and bushmeat trafficking continuously threaten gorillas’ existence. These drivers increase the proximity of humans and the risk of disease transmission. The emerging and existing zoonotic diseases, including Ebola, are continuously impacting gorillas’ lives. All of these pressures combined are disrupting natural behavior patterns and are leading to the decline in the Grauer’s gorillas’ population. Therefore, this review scrutinizes findings on the anthropogenic pressures on the habitats and survival of Grauer’s gorillas. Also, it is important to engage with people for the shared conservation role and ecotourism to support the conservation of forest biodiversity and Grauer’s gorillas’ habitats, particularly for the Maiko National Park in the DRC.

The Use of Water Filters to Prevent Contagious Skin Infections Amidst Refugee Camps: A Research Protocol

The Use of Water Filters to Prevent Contagious Skin Infections Amidst Refugee Camps: A Research Protocol

UNRWA and the Historical Evolution of Palestinian Refugee Camps in Jordan: Policy Mobilities and the Role of Refugees in Home-Making on the Scale of the Camp

UNRWA and the Historical Evolution of Palestinian Refugee Camps in Jordan: Policy Mobilities and the Role of Refugees in <i>Home-Making</i> on the Scale of the Camp

Refugee women’s and providers’ perceptions of person-centered maternity care: a qualitative study in two refugee camps in Chad

BackgroundGlobally, mistreatment of women during labor and delivery is a common human rights violation. Person-centered maternity care (PCMC), a critical component of quality of care, is respectful and responsive to an individual’s needs and preferences. Factors related to poor PCMC are often exacerbated in humanitarian settings.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative study to understand Sudanese refugee women’s experiences, including their perceptions of quality of care, during labor and delivery at the maternities in two refugee camps in eastern Chad, as well as maternity health workers’ perceptions of PCMC and how they could be better supported to provide this. In-depth interviews were conducted individually with 22 women who delivered in the camp maternities and five trained midwives working in the two maternities; and in six dyads with a total of 11 Sudanese refugee traditional birth attendants and one assistant midwife. In addition, facility assessments were conducted at each maternity to determine their capacity to provide PCMC.ResultsOverall, women reported positive experiences in the camp maternities during labor and delivery. Providers overwhelmingly defined respectful care as patient-centered and respect as being something fundamental to their role as health workers. While very few reported incidents of disrespect between providers and patients in the maternity, resource constraints, including overwork of the providers and overcrowding, resulted in some women feeling neglected.ConclusionsDespite providers’ commitment to offering person-centered care and women’s generally positive experiences in this study, one of few that explored PCMC in a refugee camp, conflict and displacement exacerbates the conditions that contribute to mistreatment during labor and delivery. Good PCMC requires organizational emphasis and support, including adequate working conditions and ensuring suitable resources so health workers can effectively perform.

Correlation Of Malnutrition Status With Malaria Incidents In Children Under 5 Years Old

Malaria is a prevalent disease that continues to affect infants and results in the death of over 435,000 individuals worldwide, with children under the age of five accounting for 11-30% of these fatalities. Malnutrition afflicts millions of children worldwide, especially in Indonesia, and is the leading cause of mortality among toddlers. Investigate the correlation between malnutrition and the occurrence of malaria in children under the age of five. Additionally, explore the prevalence, factors that contribute to the risk, and underlying processes of both malaria and malnutrition.  This study utilized 15 internationally recognized scholarly articles to investigate the correlation between malnutrition and the prevalence of malaria in children below the age of five. According to the analysis of 10 scholarly studies, the occurrence of malaria and malnutrition among children under the age of five remains significantly elevated, particularly in African nations, various countries in South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Central America, and South America. The analysis of 3 journal papers examined the risk factors associated with malaria and malnutrition, specifically focusing on age, environment, sanitation, economy, education, food availability, and residing in refugee camps. After reviewing 9 journal publications, it has been shown that malnutrition is a risk factor for malaria. Additionally, one of the articles suggests that children who are malnourished have a reduced likelihood of contracting malaria. The findings of this scoping review indicate a bidirectional correlation between malnutrition and the occurrence of malaria in young children.

Semiotics of Flags in Colonial Spaces: The Flag as an Identity Rhizome in the Literature of Palestinians in Israel

Shireen Abu Akleh was a prominent Al-Jazeera Palestinian journalist who was killed by the Israeli on 11 May 2022 while she was wearing a blue press vest and covering an army raid on the Jenin refugee camp in the Israeli occupied West Bank. The funeral procession of Shireen Abu Akleh in Jerusalem in May 2022 saw Israeli police forcefully confiscating Palestinian flags. This act raises questions about the symbolism and implications of raising or removing flags. The following article explores the semiotic use of the Palestinian flag in Palestinian literature in Israel. I discuss the significance of the Palestinian flag in the narrative spaces created by Palestinians in Israel by examining various literary works, and the identity discourse presented by such works through the flag and its symbolic ability to deconstruct Israeli policy.