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Unpacking the Links between Conflict and Child Welfare: Evidence from a Foreign Insurgency

Author

Listed:
  • Heidi Kaila

    (World Bank)

  • Larissa Nawo

    (University of Dschang, Dschang-Cameroon)

  • Hyuk Harry Son

    (Cornell University)

Abstract

Violent conflicts have enduring effects on child welfare, but little is understood about the mechanisms underlying these effects. Using data from Cameroon collected from a decade before to shortly after the eruption of the Boko Haram insurgency in the country, we study the immediate impacts of terrorist attacks on child welfare. We find that Boko Haram attacks lead to an immediate decrease in weight-for-height for children under five – an indicator of short-term health and nutrition. Furthermore, we find a reduction in health care service utilization which can prolong and aggravate fever and diarrhea. We do not find effects on dietary diversity. Our results are not driven by changes in the sample of children alive, as child mortality is un-affected by the conflict. The results underscore the importance of health care service provision in conflict-affected areas urgently after the eruption of violence to prevent irreversible impacts from taking place.

Suggested Citation

  • Heidi Kaila & Larissa Nawo & Hyuk Harry Son, 2021. "Unpacking the Links between Conflict and Child Welfare: Evidence from a Foreign Insurgency," HiCN Working Papers 353, Households in Conflict Network.
    • Handle: RePEc:hic:wpaper:353
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Daniel Meierrieks & Max Schaub, 2024. "Terrorism and child mortality," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(1), pages 21-40, January.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Terrorism; Boko Haram; Child health and nutrition; Child labor; Cameroon;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions
    • I1 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health
    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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