Migration related malnutrition among war-instigated refugee children in the northern part of Cameroon

  • Samuel Nambile Cumber University of KwaZulu-Natal
  • Geraldine Sinyuy University of Yaoundé
  • Joyce Mahlako Tsoka-Gwegweni University of KwaZulu-Natal
Keywords: Boko Haram, children, malnutrition, migration, refugees

Abstract

Migration is interwoven with the problems of health and nutrition. When people migrate, they are still in need of the most basic human needs including nutrition and health care. These two again are inter-related since they affect one another. The quality of nutrition which an individual receives has a lot to play on his/her health. This paper seeks to discuss the malnourished situation of the children of refugees and internally displaced persons in the northern part of Cameroon resulting from Boko Haram insurgencies in boarder countries (Nigeria in particular) and within Cameroon itself. The study also shows that the number of refugees in the Northern part of Cameroon has been on a progressive increase since 2013. The most alarming aspect of the presence of these refugees driven out of their homes by Boko Haram attacks is the large number of children who suffer from severe acute malnutrition.

(Full text available online at www.medpharm.tandfonline.com/ojcn)

South Afr J Clin Nutr 2018; DOI: 10.1080/16070658.2017.13885598

Author Biographies

Samuel Nambile Cumber, University of KwaZulu-Natal
Discipline of Public Health Medicine, Department of Nursing & Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban
Geraldine Sinyuy, University of Yaoundé
English Modern Letters Department, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Joyce Mahlako Tsoka-Gwegweni, University of KwaZulu-Natal
Discipline of Public Health Medicine, Department of Nursing & Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Published
2018-08-22
How to Cite
Cumber, S., Sinyuy, G., & Tsoka-Gwegweni, J. (2018). Migration related malnutrition among war-instigated refugee children in the northern part of Cameroon. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 31(3), 23. Retrieved from http://sajcn.redbricklibrary.com/index.php/SAJCN/article/view/1208
Issue
Vol 31 No 3 (2018)
Section
Scientific Letter
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