Mr.GATO Fulgence, Dr.Joyce KIRABO, Mr.Irungu Ndirangu Festus, Mr.Museka Evariste, Utamuriza Celine
Abstract- This research explored the effects of humanitarian interventions on the refugees’ Psychological and mental health status in the Kiziba refugee camp. It has been guided by three specific objectives:To examine the basic humanitarian interventions offered to the refugees at the Kiziba refugee camp ;To assess the effect of therapeutic intervention on the psychological and mental health status of refugees in Rwanda and to investigate the effect of medical interventions on the psychological and mental health status of refugees in Rwanda.The sample size was equal to 100 obtained using slovin’s formula from the target population of 7853 refugees living in the Kiziba camp aged more than 18 years old. The researcher used both simple random and purpose sampling technique to select respondents. The study gathered data through the use of questionnaire and interview guide. The researcher used a descriptive and a correlational research designs to establish and manage data for specific research objectives. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used for quantitative analysis, whereas content analysis through themes and sub themes were used for qualitative analysis. Statistical software such as SPSS was used for these analyses. The findings for the basic humanitarian intervention the overall mean showed a satisfaction rating across all statements is 4.53 out of 5, indicating a high level of satisfaction among residents regarding the basic humanitarian interventions at Kiziba camp. For the Food Assistance provided,the mean rating for food assistance is 4.48. While there is strong agreement (over 48% strongly agreeing), the absence of negative responses suggests that respondents feel positively about their dietary needs being met, which is critical for their well-being. For the Shelter:The highest mean rating at 4.60 indicates that respondents view the shelter as both safe and adequate.For the effects of therapeutic interventions, results showed the overall mean score of 4.55 suggests that refugees at Kiziba camp are highly satisfied with the therapeutic interventions available to them. The mean scores for individual statements are consistently above 4, indicating strong positive perceptions of the services. For the Group Therapy services ;The sessions have the highest mean rating of 4.75, with 75.5% of respondents strongly agreeing that these sessions have helped manage their stress and anxiety.For the effects of medical interventions on psychological and mental health status, results confirmed overall satisfaction shows the mean score of 4.55 indicating that refugees at Kiziba camp generally report a high level of satisfaction with the medical interventions they receive, especially in relation to mental health services. All individual mean scores are also high (all above 4), suggesting that the interventions are seen as effective in addressing mental health needs.The study concluded that there are positive effects of humanitarian interventions on the psychological and mental health status of refugees. However, some concerns about dependency and the effectiveness of certain aid forms highlight the need for a balanced approach that includes education and self-reliance initiatives. The researcher recommended to policy makers to train staff across all sectors (education, shelter, livelihoods, etc.) to recognize and address mental health challenges, enabling early intervention and a more coordinated response to psychological distress.it is also recommended to address dependency concerns and promote self-reliance initiatives. This research suggested that further research should explore the long-term psychological resilience of refugees who have received psychosocial support over extended periods.
