The Challenges of Social Inclusion: Integration of Internally Displaced Persons Within Host Communities in Kiryandongo District-Uganda

Abstract

The study sought to assess the challenges of social inclusion with a focus on integration of Internally Displaced Persons within Host Communities. The study was guided by three objectives namely; to find out the effect of culture of the host communities on social acceptance of internally displaced persons, to investigate the challenges faced by different stakeholders during the integration and social inclusion of IDPs into host communities and to find out the challenges related to livelihoods and resources for internally displaced persons and the host communities in Kiryandongo district.

A case study design involving qualitative approach was used to generate data from primary respondents and secondary sources. The primary sources of data included IDPs, host community, implementing partners and OPM. The secondary sources of data included, books, journals, websites and newspapers. Literature from secondary sources was reviewed according to the themes that were derived from the objectives. The data collection instruments for primary data included, questionnaire, observation guide, interview guide, FGD guide and document review for secondary data. A total of 93 respondents were involved in the study for primary data.

Findings from the study reveal that, the differences in the cultures of IDPs and the host community has contributed to challenges of integration of IDPs in the host community. There is a unique boundary between the host community and the IDPs that their community was termed “Bududa community”. The IDPs are hit twice by disasters whereby they are limited to carrying out extensive agriculture due to the limited land in the host community. IDPs are not certain about, specific provisions for the management of the IDP land. Majority still have shelters made out of turplines and grass as their shelter apart from a few who were supported. In an effort to support integration and social inclusion of IDPs into the host community, many NGOs came up to support through livelihood support, shelter development, health care, education for children and general security. However, the assistance has not benefited the right people neither has it been sustainable enough to support the integration of IDPs in the host community.

The study recommends that the government should support policies that are tailored to the promotion of the wellbeing of the IDPs, through follow-up on the work of development partners targeting IDPs in the host community. The services given to the IDPs should be tailored to the host community environmental conditions and needs of IDPs. There should be balance support between IDPs and host community since they face almost similar challenges.