Post conflict-induced displacement: Human security challenges of internally displaced persons in Oromia Special Zone Surrounding Finfinne, Ethiopia

Abstract

Violence along the Oromia-Somali border displaced more than a million ethnic Oromo in 2018. The purpose of this paper is to examine the post displacement human security challenges of internally displaced persons (IDPs) resettled in Oromia Special Zone Surrounding Finfinne (Addis Ababa). The data were collected using key-informant and in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and observation. A thematic analysis approach was applied during the data analysis process. The findings show that social structural sources of insecurity such as unemployment, poverty, hunger, inequalities, and pollution as well as institutional sources of insecurity like oppression and political repression by the government were the major challenges of the IDPs. The findings also reveal that the major sources of insecurities are largely related to marginalization, inadequate provision of social services, and lack of social integration. The findings underline that both state and non-state actors need to collaborate on addressing the human security challenges of the IDPs through improved access to market and infrastructure, support for livelihoods, access to adequate loan and formal safety nets, access to basic social services, employment and empowerment, skills training, and promoting social integration. Further, IDPs should be resettled where they can easily access economic and social opportunities, and freely interact with host communities.

Keywords

• conflict-induced displacement
• Ethiopia
• ethnic Oromo
• human security
• internally displaced persons
• Oromia-Somali border