Uncertainty in situations of forced displacement:Acritical interpretative synthesis of refugee literature

Abstract

References to uncertainty are omnipresent in literature on forced displacement. This article presents a critical interpretative synthesis of literature about uncertainty in refugee situations and explores common assumptions that underlie the narrative of uncertainty. The analysis of the literature shows that uncertainty appears to be inherent to refugee situations. Also, uncertainty is mainly seen as a constraining and abnormal experience. We critically question these assumptions and try to illustrate how they tend to obscure both the processes that render refugee situations uncertain and the varied ways in which uncertainty can be understood and is made sense of by refugees themselves. Finally, we suggest potential areas and directions for future research on uncertainty in refugee situations.

Capacity Strengthening: Development and Evaluation of the Training Course “Research Methods for Mental Health in War and Conflict”

“…Exploring the concept of uncertainty and its connection to mental health was considered appropriate as the course convenors had just embarked on a new research project on this topic to fill an important research gap. Despite the growing literature in other conflict‐affected contexts (Biehl, 2015; El‐Shaarawi, 2015; Farhat et al, 2018; Schiltz et al, 2019), no information is currently available on how the uncertainty of daily life affects mental health and wellbeing. By engaging participants in this project, we provided them with contextual information, taught them how to identify a research gap in knowledge, and encouraged them to develop a research project.…”

A transit state

“…But conceptualizing displacement as uncertain has been critiqued for failing to sufficiently account for historical and local specificities that cause differential forms and experiences of uncertainty in displacement (Schiltz et al. 2019). It has also been critiqued for inadequately representing uncertainty as a shared condition that exceeds refugee populations (Ramsay 2020).…”

“…Increasingly, displacement is understood as a problem of uncertainty (Griffiths 2014;Horst and Grabska 2015), a rupture in everyday life and relations (Das 2006) that holds people in a kind of social and political liminality and renders the future unknowable (Brun 2015). But conceptualizing displacement as uncertain has been critiqued for failing to sufficiently account for historical and local specificities that cause dif-ferential forms and experiences of uncertainty in displacement (Schiltz et al 2019). It has also been critiqued for inadequately representing uncertainty as a shared condition that exceeds refugee populations (Ramsay 2020).…”

Modelling the determinants of voluntary repatriation: The role of ecosystem services in post-conflict reconstruction in Rakhine

“…The next crucial factors in repatriation decision-making are livelihood options and basic need conditions (UNHCR, 2004). Apart from the fear of re-exposure to direct violence, refugees who experienced the deterioration of livelihood during the conflict can deter their decision to return due to uncertainty and anxiety (Schiltz et al, 2019). Variables included measuring this factor are, access to food, drinking water, fuelwood, shelter and income.…”