User:Jayson Carnal/sandbox

= Livelihood and Coping Strategies of Displace Individual = Displaced communities encounter a range of vulnerabilities and insecurities as they face a whole new milieu where their old, familiar systems of social protection, like livelihoods, are gone or fragmented due to forced evacuation. Regaining access to traditional livelihoods is often impossible in situations of forced migration. This is the situation among Mindanao communities facing intermittent violent conflicts; many of them have settled more or less “permanently” in areas that are quite far removed from their original sources of livelihoods.

Various studies of refugee livelihoods, and in particular, the gender dimensions of access to sustainable livelihoods have emerged in the last two decades. These have attracted the attention of humanitarian agencies, and raised related questions about the challenges facing internally displaced communities. However, studies on appropriate interventions addressing the needs of internally displaced persons (IDPS) for sustainable livelihoods have been more limited, especially in tackling issues related to how women and girls are affected by the sudden lack or deprivation of livelihoods.

This study on Coping Strategies and livelihoods among IDPs is based on fieldwork conducted in three areas in Central and Southern Mindanao from October to December 2012. Data collection techniques included key informant interviews with government officials and civil society leaders, as well as focus group discussions with "protracted" IDPs in the three areas. The study sought to provide answers to the following research questions:

1. Livelihood strategies and the rights and well-being of internally displace

2. The potential contributions of innovative livelihood initiatives to peacebuilding

= KEY FINDINGS = The key findings of this study are presented below,


 * 1) Livelihood strategies and the rights and well-being of internally displaced

Access to viable livelihoods, according to key informants, improves the enabling environment for peace. However, this is dependent on a variety of conditions, including the types of livelihoods supported by donor organizations. Access to livelihoods does not guarantee that long-term solutions to displacement will be found or that gender differences will be narrowed, because males may seize control of the livelihood possibilities and gains that come with them.

2. The potential contributions of innovative livelihood initiatives to peacebuilding

Skills training for displaced individuals must include job prospects in related industry. This can be an issue if no industries are willing or able to accept the students when they complete their training. Displaced communities are frequently located in places with few investment options for private sector firms. As a result, there is a need to add a demand side to this equation by promoting more private sector investment in areas affected by forced migration. Migration as a result of armed conflict.

Creating a demand for trainees among displaced populations could be a novel method, as it not only creates the route for meaningful employment following training, but it can also prepare the way for future training opportunities. increased confidence development, therefore improving levels of social capital among varied populations in Mindanao. Investments necessitate a high level of confidence between partners. This is not the case. Not only is this meaningful, but it is also difficult when investors come from ethno-linguistic groups who have historically harbored mistrust or prejudice toward Muslims or indigenous peoples.

= INTRODUCTION = Internal displacement caused by armed conflict has long-term consequences for individuals impacted. Restoring stability after a crisis has ended is a demanding and complex process. To date, little attention has been paid to the contribution of social work ideals and knowledge to this endeavor.

For the millions of children and adults displaced from their communities by armed conflict, discrimination, or natural disasters, the experience is traumatic and impacts on all aspects of their lives (Holmes,2008). Internally displaced persons (IDPs) are those who, within their own country, have been displaced from their own homes and communities (United Nations,2004). As displaced people, they may experience loss of property and livelihood, separation from family, discrimination, human rights abuses, loss of dignity and hope, and a range of social and emotional consequences (Frederico et al., 2007; Alston et al.,2019).

Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Marawi City. Forcibly displaced more than a year ago due to armed conflict, these IDPs managed to find their way to an unoccupied building in the outskirt of Iligan City, Lanao del Norte Province, Philippines. Results show their range of main concerns such as the supply of electricity and water, health services and medicines and more importantly, food. Disruptions on children’s schooling and most especially the discontinuation of their parents’ livelihood were also documented.

Conflicts are caused by persistent economic, social, and political inequalities. Humanitarian intervention can do little to solve underlying problems in the absence of frameworks for reducing previously existing inequalities (Alston et al.,2019). The intersectorial nature of the phenomena and its effects consequently need to be addressed to achieve peace (Vincent & Sorensen, 2001), and this is especially the case where the breakdown of social cohesion disproportionately affects the most vulnerable people in a society. It is critical to utilise local knowledge and proactively engage IDPs, so that those most affected can provide insight into the appropriateness of programs (Svobodova,2019). Borton et al. (2005) found that decisions to end humanitarian assistance were often based on inadequate assessments and a lack of recognition that returned or resettled IDPs require ongoing assistance after displacement to re-establish their livelihoods. This oversight resulted in IDPs remaining vulnerable.

According to Zawadi, R., & Laisnab, A. (2018), Zamboanga City is a city located in the Mindanao region of the Philippines. The city has been affected by several conflicts, including armed conflict between government forces and secessionist groups, as well as natural disasters such as typhoons and floods. These events have resulted in internal displacement of individuals and communities within Zamboanga City and its surrounding areas. This study aims to analyze the livelihood strategies employed by these displaced individuals in order to cope with their situation and rebuild their lives.

Previous studies on the livelihoods of internally-displaced persons (IDPs) in the Philippines have shown that their coping strategies are largely driven by the resources available to them, including financial capital and social networks. In particular, those who lack access to formal jobs often resort to informal work or self-employment activities such as petty trading, scavenging for recyclables, or engaging in manual labor. Despite these efforts, many IDPs remain vulnerable due to limited access to education, health care services, and other basic needs. Moreover, existing research suggests that economic hardship amongst IDP populations can lead to psychological distress, further exacerbating their difficulties in adapting to new environments. As such, there is a need for more comprehensive interventions aimed at providing support for IDPs’ mental health, as well as increasing their capacity for sustainable livelihoods.

Despite the similar impact of displacement on IDPs and those displaced across international borders, IDPs face unique vulnerabilities. The absence of legally-binding protections for IDPs and a lack of compliance with existing frameworks by state authorities often results in ongoing disregard for human rights (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 2015b). While the United Nations’ Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement (2004) have helped shift international discourse and provide “soft law” guidance to states to protect IDPs, the absence of systematic monitoring has resulted in a lack of action and indifference by some authorities, leaving IDPs without the support they need either from the state or from aid agencies (Musgrave, 2020).

METHOD
To explore the impact of a holistic social work model of community building for IDPs affected by conflict in Mindanao, Philippines, Community and Family Services International’s Zamboanga Recovery Project intervention was the case studied, and since case studies relating to Indigenous displacement due to armed conflict are rare (Hagen & Minter, 2020), it has special value. Case studies related to postconflict humanitarian intervention can contribute evidence of what works in these situations. Data were collected through a review and analysis of detailed program documentation, which included feedback from stakeholders, a review of the local context, identification of the characteristics and demographics of the affected population, and a review of the intervention processes.

= Indigenous Peoples and Internal Displacement = One of the most vulnerable Indigenous groups displaced by the Zamboanga City crisis were members of the Sama-Bajau community (hereafter referred to as the Bajau). Indigenous peoples across the world are disproportionately affected by displacement due to conflict or natural disasters including displacement from their ancestral lands (Birkeland, Citation2009). Indigenous peoples experiencing internal displacement are frequently subject to a “double-bind of vulnerability”: they experience both human rights abuses as a consequence of displacement, and discrimination and exclusion when seeking assistance (Birkeland,2009; Musgrave,2020, p. 1). In addition, the health and wellbeing of Indigenous peoples is closely bound to the spiritual, social, cultural, economic, and political significance of land and resources (Burgess et al.,2009).

Livelihood opportunities are among the first casualties when communities are forced to escape from violent conflict. For the estimated three million Mindanaoans who have been displaced from their homes over the past decade, violence has pushed already impoverished communities to even more sordid levels of poverty, as much of their meager “portable wealth,” such as draft animals and jewelry items, are also lost during the frantic moments of escaping physical harm.Or, these may be sold cheaply to opportunistic merchants, given that fleeing families often no longer have the time or opportunity to leverage a more rationalized pricing of such valuable items.

= The Zamboanga Recovery Project = The ZRP was a three-year intervention based on the CFSI model, implemented and delivered between January 2015 and December 2017. It was designed to respond to the needs of “untagged” IDPs in Zamboanga City, and its three overarching goals were to:


 * 1) Promote the security of “untagged” IDPs (families and individuals) through provision of shelter and livelihood assistance, protection, and psychosocial support services;
 * 2) Enhance community cohesion and integration through assistance to host communities affected by influx of resettled IDPs;
 * 3) Reduce incidents of death or spread of disease, or both, through health and disease surveillance and disease outbreak mitigation (CFSI, Citation2016).

The intervention recognised that it was essential to address the profound physical, psychological, and social damage to individuals, families, and communities that armed conflict causes (Wessells, Citation2017). A key component of the model’s theory of change is that a simultaneous response to people’s material and psychosocial needs is a core element of effectiveness for healing. This approach is supported by research, which has found that solely psychosocial interventions can be less effective because health and wellbeing issues are often inextricably linked to physical and material concerns (Williamson & Robinson, Citation2006). People’s needs extend far beyond immediate relief in the form of food and medications, and successful interventions are those that offer a combined response to psychosocial, material and structural issues (O’Leary et al., Citation2015).

= Impact of the Zamboanga Recovery Project, 2015–2017 = Between 2015 and 2017, the ZRP achieved its objective of promoting human security for at least 1,000 families (5,500 persons) from the “untagged” category of IDPs. Four hundred families or 1,886 individuals (932 women and girls and 954 men and boys) were provided with permanent shelters. In addition, 5,324 individuals (2,623 women and girls and 2,701 men and boys), benefitted from two rounds of livelihood assistance. This livelihood assistance, which is funding and training to support new IDP business initiatives, was dependent on the expressed needs and preferences of the IDPs, combined with a basic analysis of the probable viability of the business venture.

= CONCLUSION = The examination of coping strategies and livelihood challenges faced by displaced individuals in both Zamboanga City and Marawi illuminates the shared narratives of resilience, adaptation, and community strength amid the aftermath of displacement. These two regions, though distinct in their contexts, are united by the common thread of individuals striving to rebuild their lives and livelihoods in the face of adversity.

In Zamboanga City, the displaced population has showcased remarkable adaptability in the wake of displacement. The ability to navigate new environments and circumstances is evident in their pursuit of alternative livelihoods, acquisition of new skills, and entrepreneurial endeavors. The community's resilience, in this context, is not merely a response to challenges but a demonstration of a collective determination to forge ahead despite the disruptions caused by displacement.

Social connections and community support play a pivotal role in the coping strategies observed in Zamboanga City. Families, friends, and community networks serve as pillars of strength, offering not only emotional support but also practical assistance in resource-sharing and information dissemination. The solidarity among the displaced community underscores the importance of fostering a sense of belonging and mutual aid as crucial components of coping mechanisms.

Similarly, in Marawi, the coping strategies employed by the displaced individuals reflect a resilience forged in the crucible of conflict and displacement. The adaptability and resourcefulness demonstrated by the residents showcase a capacity to overcome challenges. Whether through the exploration of alternative livelihoods, engagement in community-based projects, or the pursuit of education, the displaced individuals in Marawi exemplify a determination to rebuild their lives.

Challenges, however, persist in both regions, particularly in terms of livelihood opportunities. Access to stable employment, education, and healthcare remains a pressing concern, necessitating a comprehensive approach to address these multifaceted issues. Sustainable solutions must be grounded in policies that prioritize inclusive economic development, vocational training programs, and mental health support.

The role of government intervention and collaboration with non-governmental organizations is pivotal in shaping the trajectory of recovery for displaced individuals in both Zamboanga City and Marawi. Policies that prioritize long-term development, rehabilitation, and community empowerment are crucial in fostering sustainable recovery. Local initiatives that encourage entrepreneurship, community building, and skill development are instrumental in ensuring that displaced individuals not only recover but contribute actively to the rebuilding of their communities.

In conclusion, the narratives of coping strategies and livelihood challenges in Zamboanga City and Marawi are stories of resilience, adaptability, and community strength. The shared experiences of individuals striving to rebuild their lives underscore the importance of a holistic and collaborative approach to post-displacement recovery. As these regions continue on their journey toward rebuilding, it is imperative for stakeholders to recognize the unique needs of each community and work collectively to create an environment where the displaced not only survive but thrive in their pursuit of a better future.