PSYCHOLOGICAL CHALLENGE AND WELLBEING MECHANISM OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS MAYA CITY

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to assess psychological challenge and wellbeing states of internally displaced persons from the Somali Regional State and resettled at the maya city. Quantitative data were collected through questionnaires from 130 IDPs who were selected by. Qualitative data were collected through interviews from purposively selected twelve respondents. The qualitative data were analyzed thematically. As a result of forced displacement, some people were gunshot by the Liyu police, some were beaten to death, and some became physically disabled as a result of worsts measures. Women were raped, beaten and part of their body was cut mercilessly. Pertinent to this, the displacement has also resulted in different negative social and economic consequences. Families were separated, have lost their loved ones and people’s social lives were disrupted. Furthermore, most of these people have lost their belongings, properties, business and their job because of their displacement. Different challenges are facing the displaced IDPs people dwelling in the studied resettlement site, including psychological, social, cultural and environmental challenges. Although lots of challenges and problems are facing these people, different wellbeing mechanism are being employed by the displaced people. Support from the government, and relatives, involving in income-generating activities by the displaced people and migrations to the different places were the major strategies to cope with the existing challenges. However, the displaced people were mainly dependent on government support for their survival. Finally, based on the finding of the study, the following recommendations were forwarded to the concerned stockholders to improve the situation of the displaced peoples from the Somali region. Thus, long psychological counseling services should be provided for these people; the government needs to allocate the necessary budget and resources for internal displacement crises and the government should develop policy and framework to deal with such kinds of issues.