Authors : Murwanashyaka Munyanziza; Denys Uwimpuhwe; Manishimwe Elijah

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 3 - March

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/4tyyb8tu

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26mar1384

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Abstract : Food insecurity and mental health challenges are critical issues among forcibly displaced populations, yet the longitudinal relationship between hunger and suicidal behavior in refugee contexts remains underexplored. This study investigates how dynamic changes in food insecurity influence suicidal risk among Congolese refugees residing in Rwandan camps between 2018 and 2026. A longitudinal panel design and Qualitative method were employed, tracking 388 individuals across three major camps; Nyabiheke, Kiziba, and Mahama, using structured surveys, the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), and the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, panel regression, and difference-in-differences models to examine temporal patterns and causal pathways. Findings indicate that severe food insecurity increased from 33% in 2018 to 63% in 2026, while high suicidal risk rose from 18% to 40% over the same period. Cross-tabulation revealed that individuals in severely food-insecure households were disproportionately represented among those with high suicide risk. Vulnerability was particularly pronounced among females and adults aged 25–34. These results provide empirical evidence of the cumulative psychological impacts of prolonged hunger and demonstrate a clear link between food insecurity and suicidal behavior in a protracted refugee setting. The study analyzed the strong relationship between prolonged food insecurity and suicidal behavior, providing longitudinal evidence of causal pathways. This study contributes to the literature by highlighting the dynamic and causal relationship between food insecurity and mental health outcomes, offering a framework for integrating food security and mental health interventions in refugee assistance programs. The findings underscore the urgent need for holistic humanitarian strategies that address both basic needs and psychosocial wellbeing to reduce suicide risk among displaced populations.

Keywords : Food Insecurity, Suicidal Behavior, Longitudinal Analysis, and Congolese Refugees.

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