19 May 2025

The Moving Minds Alliance (MMA) has released a new collection of studies titled Local Research, Global Impact: A Compendium of Early Childhood Development in Emergencies Studies by Community-Based Researchers. This publication features the work of five fellows from Lebanon, Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya, and Bangladesh.

In the face of escalating global crises — including armed conflict, forced displacement, and climate-induced disasters — the compendium underscores the urgent need for inclusive, locally grounded research in Early Childhood Development in Emergencies (ECDiE). Traditionally shaped by Global North perspectives, the field has often marginalized the voices of those most directly affected. This collection aims to shift that narrative by centering the insights and expertise of researchers embedded within crisis-affected communities.

Living and working in these environments, the fellows offer invaluable perspectives on key issues such as family dynamics, maternal and child health, newborn care, early psychosocial stimulation, and the role of technology in building resilience. Beyond the findings, the compendium sheds light on the structural barriers these researchers face — including limited resources, lack of institutional support, emotional stress, and challenges in accessing academic publishing platforms.

The study from Lebanon is titled The Impact of the Economic Crisis and Displacement on the Early Screening of Developmental Difficulties. It highlights how Lebanon’s ongoing economic crisis has severely affected the early detection of developmental challenges in children under five. The research focused on Lebanese, Palestinian, and Syrian displaced families. Findings reveal a significant link between the crisis’s severity, parental education levels, and diminished parental knowledge and quality of parent-child interactions—especially in Lebanese and Palestinian groups. Syrian families showed different patterns due to compounded displacement stress. The study also found that financial hardship often prevents families from seeking specialist consultations, even when developmental issues are noticed. It calls for urgent public health interventions to provide affordable and accessible early screening and therapeutic services. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for tailored educational programs to enhance parental awareness, particularly for displaced communities. These measures are crucial to ensure children receive the necessary support during their vulnerable early years despite ongoing socio-economic challenges.