PI(s): Baez, Javier
Affiliation(s): Syracuse University
Institutional Partner(s): PRB Dissertation Fellowship
Project Dates:
Start: 2007
End: 2008
Data Source(s): Cross-sectional, longitudinal, and weather data
Methods: Double and triple difference analysis
Geographic Location(s): Tanzania
Description:
In early 1994, more than 500,000 refugees fled the genocides of Burundi and Rwanda into Kagera, a region in northwestern Tanzania. Previous research has focused on displaced individuals, whereas this study examines the effect of forced displacements on the host communities. This research examines the indirect and long-lasting negative effect of civil wars on the health status and human capital of noncombatant young children in refugee-hosting communities and very likely on their future economic growth as well. Using data from this population shock and data from a series of topographic barriers that resulted in variation in refugee intensity, the study investigates the short-term and long-term causal effects of large population shocks and the massive arrival of refugees on children’s health and human capital in hosting communities by exploiting the population flows from the genocides in Burundi (1993) and Rwanda (1994). Results show evidence of adverse effects over one year after the shock: a worsening of children’s anthropometrics; an increase in the incidence of infectious diseases; and an increase in mortality for children under age 5.
Research Outputs:
Baez, J. E. (2011). Civil wars beyond their borders: The human capital and health consequences of hosting refugees. Journal of Development Economics, 96(2), 391-408. 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2010.08.011
Baez, Javier Eduardo. (2008). Three essays on children’s well-being in developing countries (Doctoral dissertation). Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY.