The increasing number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) due to conflict, violence, and climate change, coupled with rapid urbanisation, has turned urban centres into destinations for IDPs seeking social networks, jobs, and services that promise protection and integration. Yet city authorities in low-income countries often lack the technical and financial capacity to support the growing IDP population. This article analyses how IDPs use informal networks and channels to pursue socio-economic integration when formal support systems are inadequate. Using 41 interviews with IDPs, local government officials, and humanitarian workers, this study finds that informal socioeconomic pathways become essential for accessing livelihoods and integrating into urban life, even as unplanned and informal integration challenges urban systems and strains urban services and infrastructure. These informal pathways, while enabling integration, also expose urban IDPs to vulnerability. The article recommends city-level policies and legal frameworks that recognise IDPs' inclusion and safeguard their rights.
BackgroundWild edible plants (WEPs) are essential for sustaining food security, nutrition, and cultural heritage, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. In Shabelle Zone, Eastern Ethiopia, Somali communities depend heavily on natural vegetation for their daily sustenance. Despite their importance, detailed ethnobotanical documentation of these plants remains limited. This study therefore aimed to explore the diversity of WEPs, examine their patterns of use, document traditional knowledge associated with them, and assess their conservation status.MethodsEthnobotanical data were collected from 120 purposively selected informants across five districts using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and guided field observations. Quantitative indices, including the Botanical Ethnoknowledge Index (BEI), Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), and Jaccard Similarity Index (JSI), were employed to evaluate species importance and knowledge patterns. Preference ranking, direct matrix ranking and priority ranking were used to determine species preference, multifunctionality, and perceived threats. Data analysis was performed using R software, and species were cross-checked against the IUCN Red List.ResultsA total of 57 WEP species representing 22 families were documented, with shrubs and trees predominating. Fruits were the most commonly consumed plant parts, while roots, tubers, leaves, stems, and resins were mainly used during periods of food scarcity. Traditional knowledge varied significantly across informant groups, with older, male, and less formally educated individuals exhibiting greater familiarity with WEPs. Cordeauxia edulis Hemsl., Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile, Amaranthus dubius Mart. ex Thell., and Moringa stenopetala (Baker f.) Cufod. emerged as highly preferred and multipurpose species. Key threats included overharvesting, habitat degradation, climate variability, intensive grazing, and invasive species. Notably, Boswellia ogadensis Vollesen (Critically Endangered), Cordeauxia edulis Hemsl., and Commiphora cyclophylla Chiov. (Vulnerable) were identified as threatened species, highlighting the urgent need for targeted conservation interventions to safeguard their survival.ConclusionWEPs are integral to local diets, food security, and cultural heritage in Shabelle Zone. Promoting the sustainable use and cultivation of high-value species, while integrating indigenous knowledge with in-situ and ex-situ conservation strategies, is essential to safeguard these resources for future generations.
Wild edible plants (WEPs) are vital components of traditional food systems, supporting nutrition, health, and livelihood resilience in food-insecure and climate-vulnerable regions. In eastern Ethiopia, particularly the Somali Region, communities rely on WEPs to supplement diets and cope with seasonal food shortages. However, comprehensive documentation of species diversity, indigenous knowledge, and conservation challenges remains limited. This study assessed the diversity, use patterns, indigenous knowledge, and public health relevance of WEPs in Gursum District. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted from February to December 2024 using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, guided field walks, and market surveys. A total of 100 informants, including 25 key informants, were selected through purposive and snowball sampling. Plant specimens were collected and identified using standard taxonomic references, with voucher numbers assigned. Quantitative ethnobotanical indices and statistical analyses (ANOVA, regression) were applied to examine knowledge distribution across socio-demographic groups. Focus group discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed to complement quantitative findings. Forty-four WEP species, representing 30 genera and 17 families, were documented. Fruits (61
The escalating global concern over persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in water sources has driven the development of advanced and highly efficient remediation technologies to address this issue. Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have emerged as a revolutionary platform for advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) owing to their maximum atom utilization efficiency and tunable electronic structure. This comprehensive review provides an in-depth analysis of recent progress in the field of SACs for the catalytic degradation of organic compounds. We critically examine the state-of-the-art synthesis methodologies, including atomic layer deposition, wet-chemistry approaches, and defect engineering, as well as advanced characterization techniques essential for confirming the single-atom nature. The primary focus is on the structure-activity relationship and the underlying mechanisms through which SACs activate common oxidants such as H2O2, persulfates, and O2. We present a detailed metal-specific review of the performance of platinum (Pt), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), iridium (Ir), palladium (Pd), rhodium (Rh), silver (Ag), gold (Au), and cobalt (Co) SACs, highlighting their unique roles and catalytic efficiencies.
Traditional medicinal knowledge is central to healthcare and cultural identity in Ethiopia, particularly in the Somali Region, where plant-based remedies are widely used. Despite its importance, this knowledge remains underdocumented. This study aims to fill this gap by documenting the medicinal plants (MPs) used by the Somali community in the Karamara forest patches of eastern Ethiopia, focusing on their cultural significance, conservation status, and role in local healthcare. It also highlights the need to preserve both the knowledge and the threatened ecosystems that support it. Data were collected from 64 informants (40 men and 24 women) through semi-structured interviews, field walks, and focus group discussions conducted from February to June 2023. To evaluate the cultural importance and reliability of plant use, several ethnobotanical indices, including Use Value (UV), Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), and Fidelity Level (FL), were applied. Voucher plant specimens were gathered, identified using the Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea, and authenticated at the National Herbarium, Addis Ababa University. The similarity of plant usage across different Ethiopian regions was assessed using Jaccard’s index. Statistical analyses, such as t-tests, ANOVA, and correlation tests, were performed using R software to examine variations in knowledge across different demographic groups. A total of 85 medicinal plant species belonging to 70 genera and 40 families were documented. Fabaceae, Solanaceae, and Asteraceae were the dominant families. Shrubs were the most frequently used growth form. The majority of remedies were prepared from leaves and administered orally. Wounds, malaria, stomach disorders, and snake bites were the most commonly treated ailments, showing high informant consensus. High ICF values were observed for dermatological (0.85) and gastrointestinal (0.83). Euphorbia abyssinica J.F.Gmel., Cyphostemma adenocaule (Steud. ex A.Rich.), and Moringa stenopetala (Baker f.) Cufod. exhibited high FL, while Cleome kelleriana (Schinz) Gilg Gilg-Ben. and Aloe megalacantha Baker were prioritized for malaria treatment. Major threats to MPs included agricultural expansion, overharvesting, and firewood collection. Ethnobotanical knowledge varied significantly by informant groups (P < 0.05). The Somali community around Karamara forest possesses rich ethnomedicinal knowledge vital for local healthcare and biodiversity conservation. Sustainable management, pharmacological validation, and intergenerational knowledge transfer are urgently needed to safeguard this cultural and biological heritage.
