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Cited by 77Migration, Health and TraumaHealth and Conflict StudiesClimate Change, Adaptation, Migration

Health Status and Health Care Needs of Drought-Related Migrants in the Horn of Africa—A Qualitative Investigation

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Lindvall, Kristina, Kinsman, John, Abraha, Atakelti, Dalmar, Abdirisak, Abdullahi, Mohamed Farah, Godefay, Hagos, Lerenten Thomas, Lelekoitien, Mohamoud, Mohamed Osman +3 more·2020·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
DOI 10.3390/ijerph17165917PMC PMC7459765
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Abstract

Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia, situated in the Horn of Africa, are highly vulnerable to climate change, which manifests itself through increasing temperatures, erratic rains and prolonged droughts. Millions of people have to flee from droughts or floods either as cross-border refugees or as internally displaced persons (IDPs). The aim of this study was to identify knowledge status and gaps regarding public health consequences of large-scale displacement in these countries. After a scoping review, we conducted qualitative in-depth interviews during 2018 with 39 stakeholders from different disciplines and agencies in these three countries. A validation workshop was held with a selection of 13 interviewees and four project partners. Malnutrition and a lack of vaccination of displaced people are well-known challenges, while mental health problems and gender-based violence (GBV) are less visible to stakeholders. In particular, the needs of IDPs are not well understood. The treatment of mental health and GBV is insufficient, and IDPs have inadequate access to essential health services in refugee camps. Needs assessment and program evaluations with a patients’ perspective are either lacking or inadequate in most situations. The Horn of Africa is facing chronic food insecurity, poor population health and mass displacement. IDPs are an underserved group, and mental health services are lacking. A development approach is necessary that moves beyond emergency responses to the building of long-term resilience, the provision of livelihood support and protection to reduce displacement by droughts.

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  • In settings where environmental stress interacts with existing political exclusion, land grievances, or armed competition, insecurity becomes a proximate cause of displacement, while water stress remains a background driver that intensifies vulnerability and competition.

    “In settings where environmental stress interacts with existing political exclusion, land grievances, or armed competition, insecurity becomes a proximate cause of displacement, while water stress remains a background driver that intensifies vulnerability and competition (Lindvall et al., 2020).”

    From Climate Security, Water Governance, and Resilience How Climate-Induced Water Stress and Migration Challenge State Capacity (2026) · cites this paper as Lindvall et al., 2020

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Cited by

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Authors
Lindvall, K., Kinsman, J., Abraha, A., Dalmar, A., Abdullahi, M. F., Godefay, H., Lerenten Thomas, L., Mohamoud, M. O., Mohamud, B. K., Musumba, J., & Schumann, B.
Affiliations
  • Umeå University (SE)
  • Karolinska Institutet (SE)
  • Federal Ministry of Health (ET)
  • Somali Disaster Resilience Institute (SDRI), Mogadishu, Somalia
  • Department of Research and Development, Puntland University of Science and Technology, Galkayo, Puntland, Somalia
  • Tigray Regional Health Bureau, Tigray, 07 Mekelle, Ethiopia
  • Climate Change Directorate, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya
  • Sadar Institute, Borama, Somalia
  • Wasaaradda Caafimaadka (SO)
  • Department of Public Health, Nairobi City County Government, 00400 Nairobi, Kenya
Corresponding author
Lindvall, Kristina
ORCID
Venue
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2020-08-14
Volume
17
Issue
16
Pages
5917
ISSN
1660-4601 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/ijerph17165917
PMC
PMC7459765
OpenAlex
W3049655948
Cited by
77
References
3
Citations by year
2026: 16 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 28 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 4
FWCI
2.19
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DiVA at Umeå University (Umeå University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Funders
Svenska Forskningsrådet Formas (2017-01896)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Migration, Health and Trauma
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health and Conflict Studies
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Climate Change, Adaptation, Migration
Keywords
internally displaced persons, health status, health care needs, mental health, gender-based violence, malnutrition, vaccination, health care access, refugee camps, food insecurity, climate change, needs assessment, resilience, Horn of Africa, Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia
MeSH terms
Ethiopia, Female, Health Status, Humans, Kenya, Male, Refugees, Somalia, Droughts

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