Barriers to accessing social support at refugee-serving humanitarian organizations: a descriptive phenomenological study of Yemeni refugee women in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Post-migration challenges increase refugees’ support needs and place their well-being at risk. Social support is a vital tool that can reduce refugees’ challenges. Social support has a positive impact on the well-being of refugee women. The main objective of this study was to examine the barriers Yemeni refugee women encountered when attempting to receive social support from refugee-serving humanitarian organizations in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The study employed a descriptive-phenomenological design to achieve its objective. To examine the experiences of thirteen Yemeni refugee women, a semi-structured interview guide was used. Study participants were selected using purposive sampling. Using a descriptive phenomenological analysis, the data was analyzed. The findings revealed that language barriers, lack of availability of knowledge about the support packages, transportation problems, support providers’ unfriendly treatment, unmet survival needs, childcare responsibility, failure to give timely responses by support providers, and community leaders’ unfair recruitment hindered refugee women from accessing social support at refugee-serving humanitarian organizations. These barriers negatively affected refugee women’s well-being. Overcoming barriers to accessing social support would help refugee women have enhanced well-being and thrive instead of merely surviving.