Impact of Conflict on Livelihoods of Affected People of IDPs, Nomads and Residents in Central Darfur State during 2000 - 2015

Abstract

This study was aimed to evaluate the impact of conflict on livelihoods of affected people of IDPs, nomads and residents in Central Darfur State (CDS) during 2000 - 2015, to identify the livelihood strategies adopted by IDPs nomads and residents, and compare their income, assess the demographic changes and their implications and delineate the critical factors affecting income. A multi stage sampling technique was applied and 202 respondents were selected. The data collected using structured questionnaire for three time periods, (2000) period before the conflict, (2006) after the conflict, and (2012) for peace. The data analyzed using descriptive analyses to summarize the data and examine the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, using percentages, and means. The Seemingly Unrelated Regression (SUR) model was used to delineate the relationships between household livelihood strategies and income generating activities; the dependent variable and different independent variables. The descriptive analysis results revealed that, before the conflict, about 85.6% of the respondents depend on crop production as the main livelihood strategy, diversified by livestock employment, labour, trade, income from household members share and income from secondary jobs. After the conflict Sedentary farmers became IDPs and 64% of the respondents depended on aid. New livelihood strategies emerged like tea making, charcoal and firewood collection, brick making, construction, petty trade, working with NGOs and military. In the third period, 75.2% practiced crop production, they still diversify livelihood strategies. Before the conflict, 56.4% of the respondents lived in villages, while others lived in towns, fareegs or damras. After the conflict, the majority were IDPs. In the third period, nomads started sedentarization. Before the conflict, the highest contribution to the household total income was made by household members, crop production and livestock. Despite the importance of agriculture as a backbone of CDS economy, income from crop production and livestock was low if compared with other income sources. Other sources were, trade, secondary jobs, employment and labour. After the conflict crop production and livestock share declined. In 2012, income from crop production increased to 22%, then income from other occupations. SUR results revealed that, in pre conflict period, security and expenditure affected livelihood strategies. After the conflict, livelihood strategies were affected by insecurity, security fees and expenditure. In 2012 protection fees, university education, expenditure and production of millet affected total household income. The study recommended to: solve security issues by formulating coexistence committees, power share and wealth. Supporting crop production and livestock rearing activities by providing credit, inputs and extension services. Support IDPs by providing them with producing assets and supporting nomads by providing them with basic services.