The effects of war and refugees status on children: a case study of Somali Bantu children in Chogo Refugee Settlement Handeni District Tanga Region
Loading...
Date
2006
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
A study to investigate the political, socio-economic and psychological effects of refugee status resulted by civil war in Somali on the Somali Bantu refugee children in Chogo refugees' settlement was conducted in March 2006. Chogo settlement is located in Handeni District — Tanga region, between latitude 5° 34' and 5° 37' south of the equator and between longitude 38° 0' and 38°35' East of the Greenwich. Sixty children with ages between 13 and 17 were interviewed using a questionnaire. More data were collected from key informants to argument that obtained from interviews and secondary sources. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study showed that the civil war had led to social-economic problems including low economic base of the children’s' parents and guardians in the settlement. Also, the study revealed that the civil was caused a lot of sufferings and humiliation to the children including rape, physical attack and other forms of abuse. The trauma and frequent nightmare then children experienced were the result of brutality and different forms of abuse they encountered as they fled the war. To alleviate some of the problems, the economic base of the refugees in the settlement should be strengthened by the relevant authorities through capacity building and financial empowerment. The current group of drama at the settlement should be maintained and strengthened to entertain and pre-occupy the minds of the children, particularly those who succumbed to brutality and torture as they fled Somalia.
Description
Available in print form, EAF collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library (THS EAF HV640.R8)
Keywords
Refugees, Children's rights, Socio-economic aspects, Somalia, Chogo Refugee Settlement, Handeni District
Citation
Rugambarara, Flora A (2006) The effects of war and refugees status on children: a case study of Somali Bantu children in Chogo Refugee Settlement Handeni District Tanga Region ,Masters dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam