Acknowledgements: The initial findings of the research summarised here were developed and presented by the research team in the workshop held on the 15th May 2024 in Arba Minch, Ethiopia, and hosted by Arba Minch University (AMU) and GIZ. Research team members are from AMU and CENDEP, Oxford Brookes University (OBU): Supriya Akerkar, Enyew Arkew, Tesfaye Dessu, Pramila Cox-Sehmi, Mamo Gencho, Godsend Korosha, Sneha Maria, Sam Ponniah, Lacey Rojas, Rifah Rakib, Ellen Shaw, Syafiq Bin Sanusi, Hagarework Sinebo, and Lou Tooms.
In May 2024, a team from the Centre for Development and Emergency Practice (CENDEP) at Oxford Brookes University embarked on a field trip to Arba Minch in Southern Ethiopia. This journey aimed to enhance research skills and apply theoretical concepts in real-world settings while fostering collaborative learning and knowledge exchange between postgraduate students at the School of Law, Arba Minch University (AMU), and CENDEP.
Ethiopia presents an intricate migration landscape, both generating and hosting a significant number of refugees. The most substantial displaced group within Ethiopia, however, consists of the 2.1 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by conflict and disaster. Nearly all regions of Ethiopia face ongoing internal displacement, with our project focusing on the Southern Ethiopia Region. Internal displacement in Ethiopia is a multifaceted issue driven by complex socio-political factors and exacerbated by climate impacts such as flooding and drought.
Currently there is limited research on the impacts of multiple displacement on IDPs access to education and livelihoods, and how education and livelihoods interact with displacement across time. CENDEP and AMU’s research therefore asks “How does multiple displacement impact on IDPs access to and experience of entitlements and assistance for education and livelihoods in Southern Ethiopia?”. This research is a collaboration between CENDEP, Oxford Brookes University and Arba Minch University, Ethiopia and is funded by Gerda Henkel Foundation.
Over the course of three days, we visited four villages in Southern Ethiopia and conducted eighteen individual interviews (Male: ten, Female: eight), three interviews of couples (Male: three, Female: three) and two group interviews (Male: eleven, Female: one). The groups were typically composed of two students from Oxford Brookes University, one associate of AMU to translate from Amharic to English and one local translator to translate from the local dialect to Amharic. In the villages, residents were asked whether they wanted to partake in the research project and those who agreed were interviewed. We took a gender balance approach by approaching both male and female residents, and asking questions directly to both male and female participants in group and couple interviews.
Before starting the interview, each participant was informed of the research title and the purpose of the study. Internal displacement is a distressing experience, and the participants who we interviewed may find discussion of their experiences sensitive or traumatic. Therefore, the participants were informed prior to the interview and reminded that all answers are voluntary, and that they may take a break or end the interview at any point. The interview was conducted using a pre-prepared interview guide which consisted of 29 questions under 5 subheadings. These were; Displacement history, Challenges and assistance in current location, Employment, Education and Healthcare. The participants' answers often led to further discussions, providing additional information. At the end of each interview, participants were asked if there was any additional information they wished to share.
We found that the main reason for displacement is conflict: people vs. local government and ethnic group vs. ethnic group. The recent conflicts started in Jan 2019 and spread across multiple villages in the Dirashe and Konso regions. Hunger and lack of shelter followed. People’s homes and lands were burnt and many people were burnt alive in their homes. Others were imprisoned for alleged political crimes. Some even feared for their lives, as people had attempted to kill them. Certain participants said they still have not returned to their homes due to fear of prosecution from the local government. There has been alleged government corruption and discrimination, with the favouring of and selectively giving support to certain ethnic groups over others. This has led to feelings of further discrimination.
Due to the frequency and number of conflicts, the government and NGOs have not been able to meet the needs of the people and the assistance and support received by the participants has not been distributed equally. Additionally, some participants mentioned that they had received assistance from NGOs in the absence of government support. The NGOs’ assistance has included food items and NFI items such as blankets and tents. The majority of the participants received help from the host communities, families, or relatives. However, community-led assistance is not always available due to the mutual struggles and displacements.
When asked about their living conditions, many people were living long-term in housing meant for short-term living such as in emergency shelters. One lady from the Konso religion had been living in a tent made from tarpaulins for five years with her family of ten. We also found that the amount of shelter assistance provided to internally displaced individuals during their initial displacement was higher than in their subsequent displacements, therefore making the individuals more vulnerable during their multiple displacements. We also noticed a lack of security, as families that have been moved from their own homes feel an increased sense of insecurity due to relying on host families or recurrent home destruction.
The majority of the interviewed participants were farmers before displacement and are continuing to try to farm. However, they face extreme challenges. Many are still displaced and can only farm on others’ land, often in insufficient sharecropping or exploitative labour situations and they are facing increasing climate issues such as drought and flooding. Several participants stated that they need support and overall economic progress in order to farm sufficiently. The greatest and most stated need was a sustained peace that would allow them to rebuild their lives and livelihoods.
The displacements also had a destructive effect on the livelihoods of students and government employees and one university student had to drop out of school and he and his family were barely surviving on some farming and pastry selling. One 10th grade student had to leave school and lost a year of his studies. Though still displaced, he’s currently working a part-time job and studying to eventually improve his circumstances by becoming a doctor. A previous government employee was able to find a new government position, but it is not secure and is far below his skill level and previous pay. A highly educated man was imprisoned and still faces persecution and his family is still displaced. He and his wife have managed to find jobs with a local government, but his position is far below his skill level and previous pay. We found that most participants have not completed their primary education due to constraints such as constant conflicts and extreme economic hardships. Few children have been able to attend primary education during their displacements but all of the participants wish for their children to be educated and to stay in education. We found multiple barriers in accessing education. Such as embarrassment due to unclean lack of proper clothes, lack of food, lack of resources such as stationery and books and a lack of infrastructure. UNICEF was the only NGO mentioned to have supported the infrastructure required for informal education. Few participants have mentioned receiving support from their neighbours and host communities to help with their children’s education.
We found that throughout conflict and displacement and during resettlement long afterwards, there is very limited, if any, access to healthcare. Access to healthcare is limited in many ways, including health centres being physically destroyed during the conflict and people being in transit or in hiding and there are still barriers once IDPs have resettled. A health insurance certificate is required to access government funded hospitals, but many don’t know how to access these or cannot afford it. Even those who do have access are referred to independent pharmacies due to lack of medicine in stock. Women’s health was a common issue raised throughout the interviews. Lack of maternal healthcare during displacement and within settlements has led to fatalities during pregnancy and childbirth. Another common theme is the psychological trauma caused by conflict and its aftermath as Mental health care is lacking.
A recurring theme among the participants' aspirations was the need for lasting peace. Many believe that peace would significantly improve their lives, allowing for economic and social stability. We also identified further research areas, including maternal and reproductive health, the impact of natural hazards on livelihoods, and mechanisms for conflict resolution. We had the opportunity to present our preliminary findings at an experience-sharing workshop hosted by AMU and GIZ. This event, attended by representatives from GIZ Better Migration Management, the British Council, and UNHCR, enriched our understanding of Ethiopian migrants and returnees. We are now collaborating to develop and disseminate our research findings through a comprehensive report.
During our stay in Arba Minch, we explored the local culture and landscapes, visiting the Dorze Village with its beehive-shaped huts, attending an Ethiopian wedding party, and enjoyed lots of traditional cuisine. A boat safari on Lake Chamo offered us glimpses of African fish eagles and crocodiles, adding memorable experiences to our impactful trip.
This field trip not only advanced our research skills but also deepened our appreciation of Ethiopia's complex displacement challenges, reinforcing the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing such critical issues.
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