Neglected Conflicts Induce Negative Consequences on Displaced Persons and Host Families

ABSTRACT

Conflict studies disproportionately focus on internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees, largely side‐lining host community and family dynamics in neglected conflict contexts. We use the sustainable livelihoods capital portfolios to compare changes among IDPs and host families (HFs) of the neglected Anglophone conflict in Cameroon. Analysing pseudo‐panel data generated through mixed methods approach for the dormant, active and deescalating conflict phases show significant drops in financial (income), physical (access to land), natural (access to drinking water) and social capitals (membership in networks) for both IDPs and HFs across study periods. The only exception was human capital (school attendance). On the basis of these results, we conclude that humanitarian and other relief actions should target both IDPs and HFs. Our study adds to the limited literature on the effects of neglected conflicts on IDPs and HFs.