How do refugees affect social life in host communities? The case of Congolese refugees in Rwanda

Abstract

This paper investigates how social dimensions of life in local communities are affected by the long-term presence of Congolese refugees in Rwanda, paying particular attention to feelings of safety, social networks and trust. To gauge whether increased probability of interaction with refugees reduces cohesion, these outcomes are compared across local households at varying distances from a refugee camp. This paper is based on mixed methods approach including new data originating from a household survey conducted in host communities surrounding three refugee camps, as well as information from focus group discussions. The quantitative analysis shows no statistically significant differences between host communities with the exception of informal social networks, which are higher in communities closer to refugee camps. However, qualitative evidence illustrates how greater (economic) interaction between the two populations helps increase trust between refugees and host communities over time. Moreover, locals argue that economic and social support given to refugees plays a key role in reducing and preventing conflict between the two groups. These findings map the experiences and give voice to host communities' perspectives on social life in their community.

What Makes Me Want You Here? Refugee Integration in a Zambian Settlement Setting

“…We thus confirmed the sparse social network at the study site [67]. However, according to Fajth et al [55], social networks indicate an individual's level of engagement, connection, cooperation and active participation in the community, and Phillimore [20] emphasized its potential to support refugee integration processes. The significance of group membership for having an opinion illustrates the potential of groups for integration processes in the study area.…”

“…From a mindset perspective, we suppose human thoughts on a camp development next door. Our result is similar to that of Fajth et al [55], indicating that household proximity (<10 km) is insignificant for the feeling of safety in Rwandan communities. From the perspective of real-life experience, we confirmed that households living farther away (>5 km and beyond a river) have a lower probability of contact with a refugee.…”

“…Generally, the literature suggest that contact theory works best when it applies to everyday activities [18]. In particular, the labor and goods markets offer potential for host-refugee interactions [11,55]. A meaningful effect on labor markets is the direct competition, but also the cooperation between locals and refugees [4,47].…”

A case analysis of partnered research on palliative care for refugees in Jordan and Rwanda

“…These impacts, however, are seen as being offset by economic benefits. Cash aid provided to refugees has had positive spillover effects on the local community, contributing to greater social integration [ 22 – 24 ]. With basic healthcare provided in clinics situated within refugee camps, inhabitants also have access to the same secondary and tertiary care as do Rwandan nationals.…”

Solidarity and ‘social jealousy’: emotions and affect in Indonesian host society’s situated encounters with refugees

“…This perception persists despite comparable and unprecedented numbers of displaced people living in the Global South. Studies on refugees in 'transit' often allude to emotions in the context of their forced emotional hibernation and psychological trauma (Chan and Loveridge 1987), their tactical agency in narrating their victimhood and vulnerability and to navigate war zones and resettlement (Utas 2005), and the emotions they elicit among host societies in relation to social cohesion (Fajth et al 2019) and hospitality (Rozakou 2012;Missbach 2017). I wish to contribute to literature on the reception of refugees experiencing indefinite 'transit' by focussing on host ARTICLE HISTORY societies' emotions and discourses of 'solidarity' and 'social jealousy' and what they 'do' within the assemblage of refugee reception in Indonesia.…”