Extreme weather events, resource insecurities, and pathways to health and wellbeing: Qualitative insights from youth in nomadic pastoralist and refugee communities in Kenya

Climate change and related extreme weather events (EWE) harm the health and well-being of people living in climate-affected regions such as Kenya. Populations facing unique challenges related to EWE and related resource insecurities (e.g., food, water) include nomadic pastoralist communities whose livelihoods are reliant on agriculture, and refugees living in humanitarian settlements disproportionately exposed to EWE. Knowledge gaps persist on the experiences of EWE and related resource insecurities among youth in these communities. To address these gaps, this study applied the resource insecurity framework to examine the relationships between extreme weather (i.e., drought, flooding), resource insecurities (i.e., food, water, sanitation), and related health vulnerabilities among youth in two Kenyan regions: Isiolo, a county reliant on nomadic pastoralist agriculture, and Kalobeyei, a refugee settlement. This qualitative study applied the SenseMaker data collection tool to engage a purposive sample of youth (aged 16-24) in Isiolo (n = 11) and Kalobeyei (n = 11). Framework thematic analysis was used to examine narratives on the interconnections of EWE, resource insecurities, and health. Participant narratives highlighted three key themes: (1) EWE increase resource insecurities and related stressors; 2) Resource insecurities harm mental and physical health; 3) Resource insecurities increase sexual and gender-based violence risks. Recommendations to improve health among youth in Isiolo and Kalobeyei included addressing co-occurring resource insecurities, fostering community development, offering mental health support, and providing targeted interventions to empower girls and women. Multi-level and contextually tailored interventions that address the nexus of livelihoods, resource insecurity, and health are required to advance wellbeing among climate-affected Kenyan youth.