An Exploratory Research on the Role of Social Capital to Urban Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs). Challenges and adaptability process of Conflict-induced IDPs from the Anglophone regions of Cameroon

Abstract

Understanding the role of social capital in the adaptability process of Urban IDPs, is of great importance, in targeting the specific needs and challenges of Urban IDPs. Addressing these needs and challenges can help reduce the prospects of other civil crisis, that can result because of an increase in the urban population, unequal distribution of economic and social opportunities, and high crimes waves in the urban areas. This study is an exploration of the role of social capital in the adaptability process of Urban IDPs from the North West and South West region, who relocated to the Capital city of Cameroon due to the ongoing Anglophone crisis. The Anglophone crisis which started as a protest of marginalization from the dominant French-speaking regions in October 2016, escalated to serious violence, causing many to flee to other regions or areas for safety. The study uses close-ended questionnaires and semi-structured interviews to capture a vast meaning of the role of social capital in the adaptability process of Urban IDPs and to provide an in-depth understanding through interviews, of how social capital plays a role in their adaptability process after a conflict-induced displacement. Also, the objective of the study is focused on the different levels of the acquisition of social capital after displacement, and how these differences in an individual’s social capital, can influence their adaptability process and challenges. Through the tabulation of questionnaire data and narrative analysis of interviews, the findings of this study, indicates that, an individuals’ personal resources, can determine the type of benefits they get from their social networks. Individual’s personal resources like education, income, employment, and family support are essential in determining an individual’s level of social capital. The study’s findings contribute to the understanding that, it is not only the resources that influences an individual’s level of social capital, but also, the quality of the resources is what makes social capital important in the adaptability process of an Urban IDP. A good education, job, and high income with good family relations, can only help increase an individual’s social network with potential contacts. However, the study also confirms that, it is these different quality in resources embedded in social capital that can lead inequality in social interactions. Keywords: Social capital, Anglophone crisis, Urban IDPs, Adaptability, Resources