How Does War Impact the Health and Economy of Displaced People and Their Host Communities?

What you need to know

• War forces people to flee their homes, leading to severe health and economic consequences for both displaced people and host communities
• Nearly 60% of displaced people develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and 44% experience severe depression
• Host families take in an average of 4 additional people, straining already limited resources
• Both displaced people and hosts face massive economic losses from looting and destruction of property

The Human Cost of War

When war breaks out, its impact extends far beyond the immediate fighting. Countless families are forced to flee their homes, leaving behind everything they’ve built. But what happens to these displaced people, and the communities that take them in? This research provides sobering insights by examining the impact of war on both internally displaced persons (IDPs) and their host communities in Tigray.

Health Impacts on Displaced People

The health toll on displaced people is severe and multifaceted. About 12% of those with chronic conditions were forced to stop their medications due to lack of access. Over 15% reported family members being killed, while nearly 7% suffered physical disabilities from the conflict. Beyond these physical impacts, the psychological trauma is devastating - almost 60% developed PTSD and 44% experienced severe depression.

These mental health statistics are particularly alarming. Imagine the psychological impact of fleeing your home, losing family members, and living with constant uncertainty about the future. The combination of trauma, loss of control over one’s life, and lack of access to healthcare creates a perfect storm for severe mental health challenges.

Economic Devastation

The economic impact is equally devastating. Over 69% of displaced families had their assets looted, while another 16% had their property completely destroyed. The losses are staggering:

• Over 22,700 livestock animals
• 45,600 quintals of cereal crops
• Vehicles, machinery, household items
• Business assets and personal savings

This represents the erasure of generations of economic progress for these families. Starting over becomes exponentially harder without these resources and assets to build upon.

Impact on Host Communities

Host communities demonstrate remarkable generosity, but at significant personal cost. The typical host family takes in 4 additional people, increasing their household size from 6 to 8 members on average. Some households hosted up to 12 displaced people for over 6 months.

These host families also faced direct losses from the conflict:

• Over 11,300 livestock animals taken
• 1,600 quintals of cereals stolen
• Vehicles, appliances, and household goods looted
• Business assets destroyed

The strain of supporting additional people while dealing with their own losses creates immense pressure on host communities.

What This Means for You

If you’re working with displaced people or host communities:

• Prioritize mental health support and trauma-informed care
• Help people access medication and healthcare when possible
• Look for ways to support both displaced people and hosts economically
• Recognize that recovery requires addressing both immediate needs and long-term rebuilding

If you’re interested in helping:

• Support organizations providing mental health services in conflict zones
• Advocate for protecting civilian infrastructure and assets during conflicts
• Consider how to help both displaced people and host communities rebuild economically

Conclusions

• War’s impact extends far beyond combat, creating severe health and economic consequences that affect entire communities
• Mental health support is critical, with majority of displaced people experiencing PTSD and depression
• Economic losses from looting and destruction make recovery extremely challenging
• Host communities show remarkable generosity but face significant strain from supporting others while dealing with their own losses