Responding to the Needs of Internally Displaced Persons: A Social Work Perspective

Abstract

Internal displacement caused by armed conflict has a lasting impact on the lives of those affected. Re-establishing stability after the cessation of conflict is a difficult and complex task. To date, the contribution of social work values and knowledge to this task has received limited attention. This study uses the principles and values of social work as a framework for analysing an intervention that was undertaken to address the impact of displacement following armed conflict on an Indigenous community in Zamboanga, Philippines. A community development intervention model was developed by the Philippines-based Community and Family Services International (CFSI), an international not-for-profit organisation. Through analysis of the Zamboanga intervention, this study demonstrates the positive impact of applying social work values and principles to guiding postconflict recovery, encouraging empowerment and building more sustainable futures. The findings demonstrate the significance and value of CFSI’s approach in supporting postconflict recovery. IMPLICATIONS Displacement following armed conflict impacts negatively on all aspects of the lives of those displaced, and Indigenous people are at particularly high risk. The social work approach provides a framework to inform the development of humanitarian programs. Analysis of the implementation of the Community and Family Services International (CFSI) intervention indicates that addressing the impacts of internal displacement on Indigenous communities requires humanitarian programs to engage with culture and support self-determination.