This research is concerned with refugees and their impact on the host community. In refugee hosting areas, the local communities face various economic, social and cultural challenges as they interact with refugees. This study specifically investigated the socio-economic impact of refugees from Tongogara Refugee Camp on the host community of Chipinge District, Zimbabwe.
A qualitative approach was used to conduct the research and the researcher used focus group discussions, interview guides and questionnaires. Since the research was qualitative, the researcher obtained data from key informants and the units of analysis included the refugees who are mostly involved in business, the host population who interacts with the refugees, the local authorities, UNHCR and other representatives of Organizations working in the Camp. The research established that despite the Zimbabwe Government’s encampment policy, the refugees were free to interact with the local communities and to trade in the District. The research found that there were both positive and negative social and economic impacts associated with the presence of the Tongogara Refugee Camp. Some of the positive impacts included infrastructure development, provision of transport services and creation of market places for both the locals and refugees. Negative impacts included deforestation, theft, social ills like prostitution and alcohol abuse.
The study also found that there was a good social relationship between the refugees and the host community on the whole. However, competition for common property resources proved to be a key source of tension between the two groups. The researcher gathered that the Government of Zimbabwe and other local authorities had to revisit some of their policies as well as to support both the refugees and the locals for them to fully utilize the economic and social benefits that the presence of refugees bring and also mitigating the negative impacts that they also bring. This can be done by integrating the refugees into the formal employment working system, providing working permits for the refugees so that they can freely work, extend projects to the host communities which are specifically for them and also to provide financial assistance to refugees so that they can engage in income generating projects that sustain them.
Table of Contents
Chapter One: Introduction
1.1 Background
1.2 Problem Statement
1.3 Purpose of the Research
1.4 Primary objective
1.5 Research Questions
1.6 Assumptions of the Study
1.7 Justification of the study
1.8 Research Methodology
CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
2.1 Introduction
2.1.1 What is a refugee?
2.1.2 Evolution of the Refugee Camp and Concept
2.1.3 New York Declarations for Refugees and Migrants
2.1.4 Theoretical Framework
2.1.5 Historical Perspective on the Refugee Situation
2.1.6 The Refugee Situation in Africa
2.1.7 Protracted Refugee Situations in Africa/ Refugee Crisis
2.1.8 International Organizations in Refugee Assistance and Administration
2.1.9 The Refugee Situation in Zimbabwe
2.1.10 Refugee Adminstartion in Zimbabwe
2.1.10.1 Socio-Economic Impacts of Refugees on Host Communities
2.1.10.2 Positive Social and Economic Impacts of Refugees in Host Communities
2.1.10.3 Negative Economic Impacts of Refugees in Host Communities
2.1.10.4 Socio-Cultural Conditions of Tongara Refugee Camp and the Host Community
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Study Area
3.4 Research Philosophy
3.5 Research Design
3.6 Sampling
3.7 Instruments for Data collection
3.8 Data Analysis
CHAPTER FOUR: RESEARCH FINDINGS
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Social Impacts
4.2.1 Positive Relationships Amongst the Refugees and Local Population
4.2.2 Negative Social Impacts
4.2.3 Conflicts between the Locals and Refugees
4.2.4 Economic Impacts
4.2.5 Negative Economic Impacts
4.2.6 Mitigating the Negative Impacts of TRC
4.2 6 Conclusion
Chapter Five: Summary
5.1 Summary
5.2 Recommendations
Research Objectives and Themes
This research investigates the social and economic impacts of refugees residing in the Tongogara Refugee Camp on the host community in Chipinge District, Zimbabwe, with the goal of providing policy recommendations to mitigate negative consequences and foster mutually beneficial coexistence.
- Socio-economic impact assessment of refugee presence on local populations.
- Analysis of social interactions, relationships, and conflicts between refugees and hosts.
- Evaluation of economic contributions and challenges (infrastructure, markets, employment).
- Development of policy options for the Zimbabwean government and humanitarian agencies.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1 Background
In 2015, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees accommodated over 15 million refugees, mostly in refugee camps in developing countries. Crisp (2002) highlighted that wars, human rights abuses and protracted refugee situations have also become endemic in parts of Africa because of International Community’s failure to bring them to an end. A large proportion of Africa’s refugee situation have become protracted because of armed conflicts which originally forced people to leave their own country which has dragged for many years making it impossible to go back to their own countries. For example, in Angola, Burundi, DRC, Liberia and Somalia they have been characterized by intense ethnic and communal antagonisms, high levels of organized violence and destruction. Kayongo-Male (1989) echoed the same sentiments that war and conflict are major causes of massive refugee flows and that additional factors included restrictions on or violations of human rights, fear of losing cultural or religious identification, oppressive and segregationist regimes.
Summary of Chapters
Chapter One: Introduction: Provides the research background, defines the problem of refugee impacts, and outlines the research purpose, objectives, questions, and methodology.
CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK: Reviews existing theories on refugee situations, the evolution of camps, and empirical literature regarding social and economic impacts on host communities in Africa and Zimbabwe.
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: Details the research design, the study area of Tongogara Refugee Camp, sampling techniques, and data collection instruments used to conduct the qualitative study.
CHAPTER FOUR: RESEARCH FINDINGS: Presents the primary results regarding the social and economic impacts of the camp, including both positive relationships and conflicts, and suggests policy mitigation strategies.
Chapter Five: Summary: Summarizes the study’s findings on the socio-economic impacts and provides actionable recommendations for government and policy intervention.
Keywords
Refugees, Tongogara Refugee Camp, Chipinge District, host community, socio-economic impact, infrastructure development, employment creation, conflict resolution, encampment policy, humanitarian assistance, resettlement, protracted refugee situation, social integration, environmental degradation, subsistence farming.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The research focuses on investigating the socio-economic impacts of refugees living in the Tongogara Refugee Camp on the local host community in Chipinge District, Zimbabwe.
What are the central themes covered in the study?
The core themes include the social and economic relationship between refugees and locals, the impact on local infrastructure and resources, the existence of conflicts, and the role of policy in managing these impacts.
What is the main objective or research question?
The primary objective is to investigate the socio-economic impact of the camp on the host community and determine what policies the government can enact to mitigate any negative effects.
Which scientific methodology does the author use?
The researcher uses a qualitative methodology, employing focus group discussions, in-depth key informant interviews, observations, and a desk review of available literature.
What does the main body of the work address?
The main body examines the historical context of refugee situations, the theoretical framework, the specific methodology, and detailed findings on social and economic interactions in the Chipinge District.
Which keywords characterize this publication?
Key terms include refugee impact, host community, Tongogara Refugee Camp, socio-economic development, conflict, and humanitarian policy.
How do refugees and locals interact in Chipinge District?
Interactions occur through trade, common use of markets, intermarriages, and joint participation in social events, though tension exists regarding competition for scarce resources like land and firewood.
What policy changes are recommended for the government?
Recommendations include integrating refugees into the formal employment sector, issuing work permits, expanding development projects to include the host community, and providing financial assistance for self-employment.
- Citar trabajo
- Terence Madzimure (Autor), 2018, Socio-Economic Impact of Refugees on Host Communites. The Case of Tongogara Refugee Camp in Chipinge District, Zimbabwe, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/509327
