Violent conflict in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has resulted in population displacement, psychological trauma, and the destruction of livelihoods, which has hindered economic growth. These events have increased in frequency and severity over time in the region. Violent conflict disrupts children’s human capital accumulation through widespread malnutrition and the disruption of social and emotional skills that should have been acquired in early childhood. This study aims to estimate the relationship between early-life exposure to violent conflict and children’s human capital formation (focusing on child health, nutrition, and schooling) in four selected SSA countries since 2003. Using nationally representative Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) merged with georeferenced conflict data, the study finds that children exposed to violent conflict, measured by the number of fatalities, experience reduced human capital formation, including stunted growth, underweight status, and lower educational outcomes. Specifically, children in households exposed to violent conflict have higher dropout rates (given their enrollment) and experience delays in completing primary school. Furthermore, the impact of conflict on long-term malnutrition is particularly pronounced among young children and those living in rural areas. Limited access to health facilities during or after conflict, disruptions in livelihoods and/or markets that result in deprivations in the dietary intake of children and mothers, and the place of residence appear to be the underlying mechanisms.
Violent conflict in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has resulted in population displacement, psychological trauma, and the destruction of livelihoods, which has hindered economic growth. These events have increased in frequency and severity over time in the region. Violent conflict disrupts children’s human capital accumulation through widespread malnutrition and the disruption of social and emotional skills that should have been acquired in early childhood. This study aims to estimate the relationship between early-life exposure to violent conflict and children’s human capital formation (focusing on child health, nutrition, and schooling) in four selected SSA countries since 2003. Using nationally representative Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) merged with georeferenced conflict data, the study finds that children exposed to violent conflict, measured by the number of fatalities, experience reduced human capital formation, including stunted growth, underweight status, and lower educational outcomes. Specifically, children in households exposed to violent conflict have higher dropout rates (given their enrollment) and experience delays in completing primary school. Furthermore, the impact of conflict on long-term malnutrition is particularly pronounced among young children and those living in rural areas. Limited access to health facilities during or after conflict, disruptions in livelihoods and/or markets that result in deprivations in the dietary intake of children and mothers, and the place of residence appear to be the underlying mechanisms.
Violent conflict in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has resulted in population displacement, psychological trauma, and the destruction of livelihoods, which has hindered economic growth. These events have increased in frequency and severity over time in the region. Violent conflict disrupts children’s human capital accumulation through widespread malnutrition and the disruption of social and emotional skills that should have been acquired in early childhood. This study aims to estimate the relationship between early-life exposure to violent conflict and children’s human capital formation (focusing on child health, nutrition, and schooling) in four selected SSA countries since 2003. Using nationally representative Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) merged with georeferenced conflict data, the study finds that children exposed to violent conflict, measured by the number of fatalities, experience reduced human capital formation, including stunted growth, underweight status, and lower educational outcomes. Specifically, children in households exposed to violent conflict have higher dropout rates (given their enrollment) and experience delays in completing primary school. Furthermore, the impact of conflict on long-term malnutrition is particularly pronounced among young children and those living in rural areas. Limited access to health facilities during or after conflict, disruptions in livelihoods and/or markets that result in deprivations in the dietary intake of children and mothers, and the place of residence appear to be the underlying mechanisms.
Die globale Erwärmung wird voraussichtlich bis Anfang der 2030er Jahre über 1,5 °C steigen. Eine Rückkehr zu 1,5 °C vor Ende des 21. Jahrhunderts würde zwar nicht alle Schäden verhindern, die in einer Phase überhöhter Temperaturen entstehen. Doch verglichen mit einer dauerhaften Erwärmung über 1,5 °C würde sie die Risiken verringern. Um Ausmaß und Dauer des »Overshoot«, also der Phase oberhalb der 1,5°C-Linie, sowie die damit einhergehenden Klimarisiken zu begrenzen, sind verstärkte Klimaschutzmaßnahmen dringend erforderlich. Ziel muss es dabei sein, die maximale globale Erwärmung deutlich unter 2 °C zu halten. Für das anschließende Wiederabsenken der globalen Durchschnittstemperatur sind global anhaltende netto-negative Emissionen von Kohlendioxid (CO2) notwendig, möglicherweise sogar netto-negative Emissionen aller Treibhausgase (THG). Dies stellt die internationale Klimapolitik in ihrem Bemühen, »1,5 °C in Reichweite zu halten«, vor neue Herausforderungen. Für klimapolitische Vorreiter wie die Europäische Union (EU) bedeutet dies, dass »Netto-Null« nicht mehr als Endpunkt, sondern nur als Übergangspunkt auf dem Weg zu netto-negativen THG-Emissionen betrachtet werden muss, begleitet von der Entwicklung neuer politischer Instrumente.