CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION   Background to the Study

In times past, it was recounted that humans migrated purposely in search of food, fertile land and for security (Marlowe, 2007). In contemporary times, these forms of movement are no different. It is evident that people move from one geographical space to the other mainly for trade, to better their economic status and also for security. In Lee‘s theory of Migration (1966), referred to as the ‗Pull – Push‘ factors of human migration, factors in the destination that attract persons to migrate are referred to as the pull factors and those at the origin that compel persons to migrate are referred to as the push factors. In migration, people move from one geographical space to the other with the purpose of residing there temporarily or permanently over a period of time usually a year.

Over the past years, there is a class of migrants known as the refugees. These categories of persons are also referred to as forced migrants. To this effect the question of who a refugee is comes to bear. In accordance with the 1951 UN convention, a refugee is a person owing to well- founded fear of persecution, has fled his or her country of origin due to his or her affiliation to a political party, religion, race or ethnic group. To this extent it is very clear that the refugee situation is a growing phenomenon as these social elements aforementioned would invariably generate possible conflict. According to the (UNHCR, 2018), 68.5 million persons are forcibly displaced worldwide. Among the stated number are 25.4 million being refugees all over the world, over half of which are under the age of 18 years (UNHCR, 2018).

Most refugee hosting states are from the less developed countries. These less developed countries are already overstretched with their resources. The coming of these refugees will mean more burden on these countries (UNHCR, 1997). The influx of refugees into a country will most definitely have implications on the host, and this is seen both on the negatives and the positives. Undoubtedly, the refugee situation to the host community will definitely have an adverse effect on the host community but can also be a source of an ‗open up‘ development for the host community (World Bank, 2016).

  Problem statement

The nature of impacts of refugee influx and camp establishments on host communities  are many and diverse. It is widely accepted that the influx of refugees could have considerable impacts on natural resources and socio-economic aspects (Martin, 2005). Refugee camps are commonly established in remote areas with poor and underdeveloped conditions where often host populations are struggling to sustain their livelihoods. This implies that refugee influx will have some effect on the lives of the people living in the area. How it will impact, nonetheless, depends on several factors and approaches where both positive and negative outcomes are possibilities (Maystadt and Verwimp 2009:1-2).

Some of the funds for the camp operation are allocated to infrastructure investments that benefit the host community. The impact of the camps on the local host community are widely felt through trading opportunities and reduced food and commodity prices. Furthermore, refugee camps have developed major local markets with considerable purchasing power in relation to pastoral products such as milk and livestock. One of the positive contributions that refugees can make to host countries is skills and knowledge that can be utilized for the benefit of local people. In this regard, the multiple ways in which refugees pursue their livelihoods can make significant

contributions to the local economy. Another important contribution of refugees to local economies is associated with their access to transnational resources provided by other refugees and co-nationals living abroad, including remittances and social networks (Jacobsen, 2002). A study of Somali refugees and remittances explains how cash transfers to refugees have impacts on receiving communities (Horst and Van Hear, 2002). Individual remittances that often go to displaced families and relatives are used to meet basic livelihood needs. Similarly, research on the Somali Diaspora in Canada points out how informal banking systems have facilitated cash transfers to Somali refugees in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Yemen (Hamza, 2006). These resources have contributed not only to the improvement of living conditions at the household level, but also to those in refugee camps, especially in terms of housing, water provision, and telephone services.

In Tanzania, refugees have provided cheap labor in sectors such as agriculture, construction, housekeeping, and catering. In this regard, the refugee presence has affected the wages of local non-skilled workers and benefited local entrepreneurs (Maystadt and Verwim, 2009). Similarly, an increase in the demand for rental housing from either well-to-do refugees or expatriate aid personnel in Peshawar, Pakistan during the 1980s and 90s, particularly benefitted local property owners and disadvantaged less well-to-do Pakistanis looking for rental housing (Schmeidl, 2002). This illustrates that when refugees arrive, those among the host population who have access to resources, education, or power are better positioned to benefit from the refugee presence, while those who lack these resources in the local context become further marginalized (Maystadt and Verwim, 2009).

1. 1. This material content is developed to serve as a GUIDE for students to conduct academic research work
2. 2. As a source for additional understanding of the subject.
3. 3. As a source for ideas for your own research work (if properly referenced).
4. 4. For PROPER paraphrasing (see your university definition of plagiarism and acceptable paraphrase)
5. 5. Direct citing (if referenced properly)
Thank you so much for your respect to the authors copyright.