Information and Repatriation: The Case of Mozambican Refugees in Malawi

Koser, Khalid

doi:10.1093/jrs/10.1.1

Cited by 28 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…Displaced persons may also compare the economic survival possibilities between their current locations and their homes, which may affect the timing of return (Deininger et al 2004;Koser, 1997). In Kossovo, for example, lack of employment prospects hindered the reintegration process, forcing young families to either stay longer or to out-migrate (Rabenhorst, 2003).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Movers or Stayers? Understanding the Drivers of IDP Camp Decongestion During Post-Conflict Recovery in Uganda

2012

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Standard-Nutzungsbedingungen:Die Dokumente auf EconStor dürfen zu eigenen wissenschaftlichen Zwecken und zum Privatgebrauch gespeichert und kopiert werden.Sie dürfen die Dokumente nicht für öffentliche oder kommerzielle Zwecke vervielfältigen, öffentlich ausstellen, öffentlich zugänglich machen, vertreiben oder anderweitig nutzen.Sofern die Verfasser die Dokumente unter Open-Content-Lizenzen (insbesondere CC-Lizenzen) zur Verfügung gestellt haben sollten, gelten abweichend von diesen Nutzungsbedingungen die in der dort genannten Lizenz gewährten Nutzungsrechte. Terms of use: Documents in AbstractThe paper explores factors that influence the household decision to leave internal displacement camps in the immediate aftermath of violent conflict. Our analysis is based on two sources of information: household survey data collected in northern Uganda for households that were displaced by the civil conflict, and geo-referenced data on armed conflict events, with which we construct our developed index of recent conflict exposure. We compare households that moved out of camps with those that remained in the camps after the region was declared safe from rebel incursions. The study covers the first few months of the end of conflict, when return was regarded as largely voluntary. We find that a history of conflict both at the place of residence, and at the expected place of return reduces the likelihood of return. Access to camp services overall encourages households to stay in camps, although the effect varies with the proportion of young household members. Results also show that a history of economic skills poses varying effects on return decisions. While experience in cultivation is associated with a high likelihood of moving out of the camp, households with members with recent experience in trading are less inclined to return. From a policy perspective, the results point to the need for recovery initiatives to ensure access to adequate infrastructures in return locations in order to fast-track reintegration.

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confidence: 99%

Movers or Stayers? Understanding the Drivers of IDP Camp Decongestion During Post-Conflict Recovery in Uganda

2012

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“…Regarding the first of these, Stein and Cuny (1994: 174) refer to how refugees are the main actors within spontaneous voluntary repatriation, assessing likely conditions of reception and deciding upon how and if to move. For Koser (1997), they compare their current and future conditions, and decide on the basis of information about their destinations, as well as their own expectations, perceptions and experiences. Return is one possible outcome of this, whereas some may decide to stay in exile for longer or permanently (Koser, 2002; Van Hear, 2003; Black et al , 2004).…”

Section: Research Upon Refugee Returnmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This can be perceived as irrational, but may arise through a rational assessment of options (Stein and Cuny, 1994: 173). Decisions can furthermore take place individually or at the household or community levels (Black et al ., 2004), whilst Israel (2002) and Koser (1997) underline how people remaining within sending areas can be important sources of information within this. In fact, Koser's informants were more likely to trust information that came from such personal agents, rather than from institutional sources, which may help to explain a gap between hosts' interests about return and individuals' reluctance or refusal to go back.…”

Section: Research Upon Refugee Returnmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding repatriation: refugee perspectives on the importance of safety, reintegration, and hope

Zimmermann

2010

Population Space and Place

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This paper uses rich, empirical data to explore repatriation from refugee perspectives, which are widely overlooked within host state framings of this topic. Participants from two countries are compared within how they approached the prospect of repatriating differently or alike, whilst different background contexts to these cases affected the ways in which participants framed discussions. Both the Somalis and Afghans were concerned with issues of safety and reintegration prospects upon return, and revealed that these were key parts of what they had also sought while living in exile. In addition, hope for change – or its absence – affected whether they anticipated returning or staying away permanently, with proof more than promise of change sought, so suggesting a difference with the early expectations more preferred by host states. Policy and political discussions of repatriation tend to make claims about refugees without asking about their own priorities. This gap in perspectives is a source of tension and distrust, and emphasis can be misplaced to try to promote return without reference to such empirical understandings as this paper explores. This paper concludes by asking whether unless we can understand return on such refugee terms, then what is its actual meaning and whose perspective does it serve? Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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“…The recent cessation of several large‐scale military conflicts throughout the subcontinent (with a few sore exceptions like Sudan or Somalia) calls for investigation of issues related to refugees' return and reincorporation into their home countries versus nonreturn and further integration into host societies. Koser's study of the factors influencing the repatriation of Mozambicans who found refuge in neighboring Malawi during Mozambique's civil war of 1977–1992 exemplifies the complexities involved in refugees' decisions to return home versus to stay in the country of refuge (Koser 1997). His analysis highlighted the role of information about the conditions at home that refugees obtain through a variety of formal and informal channels.…”

Section: Conflict‐induced Migrationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Research On International Migration Within Sub-Saharan Africa: Foci, Approaches, and Challenges

Agadjanian

2008

The Sociological Quarterly

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This article reviews the state of research on international migration within sub-Saharan Africa. It examines the international migration systems that have emerged on the subcontinent, especially in Southern and Western Africa, as well as issues pertaining to gender and migration and to migrants' incorporation in host societies. Special attention is given to conflict-induced migration and to implications of international migration for health, with a particular emphasis on the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Despite the large volume and diversity of international migration in the subcontinent, the literature on the subject remains scarce and disconnected from the body of international migration research in other settings. The review identifies causes of this mismatch and discusses ways to mainstream the subcontinent's migration problematique.

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Information and Repatriation: The Case of Mozambican Refugees in Malawi

Cited by 28 publications

References 53 publications

Movers or Stayers? Understanding the Drivers of IDP Camp Decongestion During Post-Conflict Recovery in Uganda

Movers or Stayers? Understanding the Drivers of IDP Camp Decongestion During Post-Conflict Recovery in Uganda

Understanding repatriation: refugee perspectives on the importance of safety, reintegration, and hope

Research On International Migration Within Sub-Saharan Africa: Foci, Approaches, and Challenges

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