Information and social networks as immediate factors of migration

Abstract

The Kembata-Tembaro, Hadiya and Welayta are one of the highly migratory zones in Ethiopia. While they all enjoy similarities along population densities, land holdings, agro-ecologies and employment opportunities; the migration patterns in these areas differ in that, while the first two are known for international migration mainly to the Republic of South Africa, the latter is known for its internal migration with few international migrations. The Migration Network Theory was adopted to assess the role of information and social networks in triggering migration and the role they played in shaping patters of migration from the study area. A descriptive research with mixed methods approach was employed. Results show the importance of information and social networks in triggering migration decisions, serving as immediate causes as opposed to the root causes of migration. This study has concluded that information and social networks have served as factors triggering migration from study area. Accordingly, it calls for separate migration policy responses and interventions at the root cause and immediate levels.