Paper details
| Paper authors | Mohamed Jelle |
| In panel on | Migration, Protracted Crisis and Humanitarianism |
| Paper presenter(s) will be presenting |
In-Person / |
Abstract
In 2017, Somalia experienced a devastating drought that, together with ongoing conflict and outbreaks of measles and cholera, saw a large increase in the migration of crisis-affected people. This was not the first large-scale displacement given that Somalia has experienced protracted crisis resulting from conflict and drought since 1991.
There are about 2.1 million IDP in Somalia with approximately 1 million of these being new displacements in Jan-Oct 2017. While it is well known that IDPs are often a particularly vulnerable group in southern Somalia and similar contexts, there are a number of important under researched areas. These include: the need for detailed information on the drivers of their migration and multiple displacements. IDP are not a homogenous group, and our surveillance data has shown that vulnerabilities and needs differ between camps depending on their date of arrival, region of origin, clan membership and other factors. Migration may involve multiple movements, for multiple reasons through multiple migration routes. It’s complex and multi-layered. Using qualitative method, this paper will explore the drivers of multiple displacements and migration in this highly mobile population, the reasons why and how people have chosen to migrate, and the factors, which will determine when and how they will return home or move location. We will also present our findings on the humanitarian situation in areas that are inaccessible to many humanitarian organisations to inform future responses during similar crisis. Lastly, the paper will examine existing policies about how humanitarian aid tries to influence migration.
