Effects of food aid reduction on the wellbeing of refugees in Rhino Refugee Settlement

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of food aid reduction on the wellbeing of refugees in Rhino refugee settlement. The objectives that guided the study include; to determine the socio-economic effects of food aid reduction on the wellbeing refugees in Rhino refugee settlement, to assess the psycho-social effects of food aid reduction on the wellbeing refugees and lastly to investigate the coping mechanisms adopted by refugees to manage the effects of food aid cuts. This study employed a descriptive, cross-sectional study design with mixed method approach, collecting data from 216 household heads aged 16 - 86 using structured questionnaires and 3 key informants through the key informant interview guide. Field findings reveal a 100% of the total sample size reported they had experienced food aid reduction. Key findings reveal high rates of health complications with 86.1 % since the reduction in food aid, school going children were reported dropping out of school with 69.5% and increased malnutrition rates among children below 5 years of age with 49.1 %. The data reveals 93.5% of the total sample size with emotional distress such as depression since the reduction of food aid. Lastly refugees adopted various coping mechanisms and one was limiting portion size at meal per day with 99.1%, skipping meals for the entire day with 98.6% and relying on child labor with 93.1% .This study concludes that despite the long term interventions such as livelihood initiatives, empowerment programs and the self-reliance model, their effectiveness has been limited by untimely delivery of livelihood support for example delay in seedling distribution for refugees focusing on agriculture, unfavorable weather conditions due to elongated dry season, cultural diversities as for some refugees, their main economic activities are music and live ban for the Congolese refugees, cattle keeping for the Dinka community and yet livelihoods are always limited to agriculture. This study therefore recommends; a wider view on livelihoods not only limiting to agriculture, continuous empowerment programs, timely distribution of seedlings, improving education status for refugee children, relocation of some of the refugee households to areas that can support crop production, micro loans employment opportunities and lastly awareness campaign for mental health.