Conflict Induced Internal Displacement and Its Impact Upon Adolescent and Youth (A case study of Pokhara Sub-Metropolitancity)

Abstract

The researchstudy on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Pokhara Submetroplition,Kaski District based on primary data explores the causes of conflict-induced internaldisplacement and its impact upon adolescent and youth. The aimed of the study was tofulfill the main objectives as: To examine the socio economic status of internallydisplaced youth and adolescentand toanalyze the socio economic effects of internallydisplaced youth and adolescent in place of origin and destination. In this study, by using purposive sampling method 60 householdswere selected from thedifferent partsof Pokhara valley and from the 60 households,110 adolescentsand youthsfor ages 15-24 years for both sexes were included for this study. Among the totalrespondents, 45 percent were from Kaski district and 55 percent werefrom other districts.Around 83 percent of internally displaced adolescent and youth were suffered by Maoistsand remaining 17 percent were suffered by thestate. More than 80 percent respondentswere displaced due to political causes.Among the total respondents, the proportion ofmale and female were 64 percent and 36 percent respectively. Most of the respondentsreported that agriculture was the major occupation before displacement but, afterdisplacement, most of them were involved in labours.Around 64 percent respondentshave been living on rent, 15 percent on camp, 7 percent in relatives/friendshouse and 14percent have been living their own house after displacement. This study explores the problems created by conflict between security forces and Maoistsand explains the major causes of internal displacement among adolescent and youththrough social, political, economic, cultural, health and violence against adolescent andyouthgirls. Internally displaced adolescent and youth had very good relation to their neighbours andrelatives before displacement. But after displacement this proportion was founddecreased. The proportion of respondents falling sick increased after displacement.Similarly, the access of natural resources decreases after displacement among adolescentand youth. Involvement in occupation has been cut off after displacement. Before displacement,respondents were involved in various jobs and social works. But after displacement, vast majority of respondents couldn’t get any job in the place of destination. Due to different kinds of obstacles and problems most of the respondents are feeling odd to expose their position in political party. The research study has presented a set of recommendation for governments, CPN(Maoists), political parties and civil society and international community and I/NGOs.