Refugee Crisis Research Articles

When Liberalism Fails: An Examination of U.S. Governmental Responses to Refugee Crisis

This paper examines the responses of the United States (U.S.) to the refugee crises of Syria and Venezuela respectively and compares how the immigration policies have hindered effective humanitarian settlement. While the paper takes into consideration the differences in political climates that have led to dissimilar responses among the two governments in the early stages, the study examines the consistent mismatch between the humanitarian claims and the restrictive policies enacted, highlighting their negative impact on both the population of displaced persons and the resolution of the crisis-at-large. The paper argues that the incoherency between claims and actual deeds as well as conflicts between levels of governance have rendered humanitarian responses ineffectual and even detrimental to the humanitarian conditions for the refugees. Furthermore, the paper critiques the preferential attitude held towards humanitarian aid and reveals how in both cases, such aid has crafted self-perpetuating cycles of marginalization, exploitation, and violence.

Fostering long-term conviviality for refugees in the city: Inclusive, collaborative housing in Vienna

Vienna faces a ‘twofold housing and refugee crisis’ amid ongoing migration to Europe. As housing options become increasingly limited, refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers often struggle to find adequate housing, spending a disproportionate share of their income on substandard options. This research highlights progressive trends in Vienna’s refugee housing sector, particularly following the 2009 introduction of ‘Social Sustainability’ in building competitions by the City Council. This initiative has fostered several collaborative housing communities that support inclusive living. By analyzing four of these projects, the study identifies key factors that facilitate newcomers' social and spatial integration. Ultimately, the paper aims to advocate for newcomers’ right to quality housing, emphasizing the everyday and long-term challenges faced by inclusive communities striving for conviviality in a state of thrown togetherness.

Social listening applied to tailor communication on immunization in the Republic of Moldova.

Although the Republic of Moldova had good vaccination rates, anti-vax messages have recently begun to spread, eroding the population's confidence. Vaccination coverage against measles, mumps, and rubella at the target age of 12 months decreased from 95% in 2008 to 83% in 2021. The recent measles outbreak in Romania and three confirmed cases in Moldova, combined with the refugee crisis, have highlighted the importance of vaccination and sparked online conversations on this subject. A mixed-methods study was conducted, involving social listening activities on immunization using the Talkwalker software and qualitative analysis of the identified narratives. Out of 450 identified comments, 30 were selected for further analysis. Over 5 months, a total of 865 results were obtained, with an engagement rate of 6300. The peak in results occurred between 11 and 18 December, driven by the recent measles outbreak in Romania, which saw several confirmed cases and one death, as well as the first cases of measles in Moldova after 3 years. However, no significant increase in the engagement rate was recorded. Comments on immunization tended to reflect distrust in authorities and doctors, political and ideological views, and a lack of knowledge about the risks of vaccine-preventable diseases. The analysed conversations are assessed as having a low risk of spreading, though some employ techniques to influence or manipulate behaviours. The topic of vaccination is used to promote political ideologies through messages issued by the mass media. The information vacuum must be filled with messages designed to produce attitude change regarding vaccination.

Russian-Ukraine War and its Impact on the European Economy

This study examines the impact of the Russian-Ukraine war on the economy of Europe, concentrating on trade disruptions, energy security, foreign direct investment (FDI) flows, and the socioeconomic ramifications of the war[1]induced refugee crisis. This study employs the descriptive research design, qualitative research method and a secondary source of data collection. The research uncovers the problems and possibilities coming from the war, as well as the larger implications for economic growth, development, and stability in the area. The results reveal severe interruptions to commercial links between European nations, especially Russia, and Ukraine, with key sectors such as energy, manufacturing, and agriculture facing considerable disruptions. Energy security emerges as a significant worry, spurring attempts to diversify energy sources and lessen dependence on Russian supply. Meanwhile, the war has resulted in a drop in FDI inflows to Russia and Ukraine, aggravating economic concerns in both nations and hurting their growth prospects. Furthermore, the research shows the burden on social welfare systems in European nations hosting migrants, since the inflow of refugees exerts great demands on resources and capabilities. Investments in housing, health care, education, and social welfare are vital for satisfying the different needs of displaced people and facilitating their long-term integration into society. However, issues connected to social cohesiveness, community connections, and political dynamics within host nations also occur. The study recommends diplomatic resolution of the dispute through peaceful discussions, involving European Union (EU) member states- Russia, Ukraine, and other parties. This could involve neutral mediation, de-escalating initiatives, and confidence-building measures.

The effect of mass migration on disease transmission: Evidence from the Venezuelan refugee crisis

AbstractSince 2014, millions of Venezuelans have fled to neighboring countries. There is only one accessible land crossing along the Brazil–Venezuela border (Pacaraima) and the Brazilian highway system limits migrants to one route through the Amazon for almost 1000 km. Using this event as a quasi‐random treatment, we find that refugee migration increased malaria incidence in Pacaraima, but this was limited to individuals of Venezuelan nationality. We find no effect on Brazilians in Pacaraima or in other municipalities along the main refugee migration route. We therefore reject the hypothesis that Venezuelan refugees increased the risk of malaria among native residents.

Nurses’ strategies for coping with stress in the face of the influx of war refugees from Ukraine to Poland

IntroductionRussian military’s incursion into Ukraine sparked the largest refugee crisis in Europe since World War II. As Ukraine’s neighboring country, Poland became the primary destination for these refugees. Ukrainians staying in Poland under the EU’s Temporary Protection Directive receive humanitarian support similarly to asylum seekers, but the legal pathways, length of stay and integration processes differ significantly as the Directive provides for more immediate, collective protection without the complexity of individual asylum applications. The influx of war refugees generates extremely complex situations that health personnel, especially nurses, must face on a daily basis.AimIdentify whether and to what extent the emergence of a large number of patients with war-related experiences constituted a source of stress for nurses, and how Polish nurses coped with this issue.Materials and methodA cross-sectional study was conducted in December 2022 in Białystok, Poland. It included 473 certified nurses working in hospitals affiliated with the District Chamber of Nurses in Białystok. Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) questionnaire and Mini-COPE inventory (Polish version of Carver’a BriefCOPE inventory were used in the study.ResultsThe average stress level among nurses was moderate, with nearly equal proportions of nurses experiencing low, medium, and high stress levels. Nurses who had contact with refugees in the last six months and/or helped them, did not present an increased level of stress - on the contrary, this level was lower. Nurses who helped refugees at work more often used a planning strategy in stressful situations, and less frequently reacted to stress using humour, religion, denial or venting.ConclusionsThe greater workload and more frequent contacts between Polish nurses and Ukrainian war refugees were a factor increasing work fatigue, but, paradoxically, at the same time reducing the level of stress in a situation giving the feeling of a duty well fulfilled. Empowering nurses through greater autonomy and fostering supportive work environments, especially in crisis situations like the care of war refugees has a positive impact on coping with stress.

Evaluating the efficacy of support groups in the metaverse for Ukrainian refugees: a protocol for a randomized clinical trial

BackgroundThe Ukrainian crisis, sparked by the Russian invasion, has generated one of the most extensive refugee crises in modern history. Addressing the mental health challenges of Ukrainian refugees is critical to promoting their resilience and successful integration into host communities. Traditional support group interventions might be challenging to implement for geographically dispersed populations, making the metaverse an innovative and inclusive platform for providing much-needed support to such populations.Methods/designDisplaced Ukrainian refugee adults (18 years or older) without current psychiatric diagnoses or current involvement in therapeutic interventions are included in the study. Participants are randomized to one of three conditions: (1) Metaverse Support Groups, (2) In-Person Support Groups, or (3) Waitlist. Both intervention groups (Metaverse and In-Person) undergo 5 support group sessions, and data are collected at baseline, mid-intervention, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up. Primary outcomes are depressive symptomatology and anxiety. Secondary outcomes are perceived social support, well-being, and gender-based violence awareness.DiscussionTo our knowledge, this is the first attempt to test the efficacy of support groups in the Metaverse for the Ukrainian refugee population. This study can thus add substantially to the body of knowledge on effective interventions and policies for refugees.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06142032 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06142032). Registered on November 8, 2023.

Refugee Rights and International Law: Evaluating the Efficacy of Global Humanitarian Responses to Forced Displacement

The increasing scale of forced displacement due to conflict, persecution, and environmental crises has brought refugee rights to the forefront of global humanitarian discourse. This article critically examines the efficacy of international law in protecting refugee rights and assessing global responses to the growing refugee crisis. Through an analysis of key international legal frameworks, such as the 1951 Refugee Convention and the role of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the study evaluates the adequacy of current policies in addressing the challenges faced by refugees. It highlights gaps in protection, such as unequal burden-sharing among nations, restricted access to asylum, and prolonged displacement in refugee camps. Case studies from various regions reveal how inconsistent application of international law undermines refugees’ access to fundamental rights, including safety, healthcare, and education. The article argues for stronger international cooperation, better policy implementation, and more robust legal mechanisms to ensure the protection of refugee rights. It concludes by offering recommendations for improving global humanitarian responses and creating more equitable and sustainable solutions for forced displacement.

Wellbeing and sustainability in Europe in the 2010s–An empirical analysis

The decade of the 2010s was characterized by relative economic stability in Europe. Most of the countries had recovered from the financial crisis of the previous decade while the new socio-economic crises, brought by the early 2020s, were not yet on the horizon. The economic stability of this period does not mean the absence of systemic issues at all. Environmental degradation, aging societies, refugee crisis, or offshore scandals are but just to mention a few. However, due to the period of relative stability, the direct impact of these issues in different countries can be better illustrated and compared over the 2010s than during the crisis periods. In order to prove empirically this presumption, I apply longitudinal statistical data analyses, as well as cross-sectional regressions, among 39 European countries. The examined outcome variables are the Happy Planet Index (HPI), as an informal indicator of progress, and its sub-components, as proxy indicators for (subjective) wellbeing and (objective) sustainability. The results confirm the diverse trends in terms of wellbeing and sustainability in spite of the roughly even formal economic growth over the period. This highlights the necessity for a multifaceted approach to assess progress.

Political Repression, Refugee Crises and Labor Migration from Post-Colonial Mali

This article zooms in on the ways in which forced migration articulates with labor migration in urban West Africa. Precisely, it reflects on how the refugee crisis contributes to labor migration and, inversely, how labor migration is used as a strategy to respond to the predicament induced by the adverse and often deeply humiliating living conditions of exile. To this end, we situate the article within broader scholarly debates on migration categories. We use the notion “exile” to refer to the social conditions induced by political persecution-related relocations from Mali to Niger and Senegal. Our discussion draws on data collected from freeborn Tuareg from Mali in Niamey and former Malian students who fled the dictatorship of Moussa Traoré. The results prompt a reflection that prioritizes the empirical connections between forced and labor migrations over their differences, something that is often taken for granted in the academic literature and in political narratives.

Defending and expanding industrial democracy and worker cooperatives in an age of neoliberal globalisation

ABSTRACT Neoliberalism has reinforced inequality, environmental collapse, famine, refugee crises, supply chain vulnerabilities and more. We agree with Gibson-Graham (2006) that the core of the issue for a post-capitalist politics is to overcome the sense of the inevitability of the dominant system of political economy. With this argument in mind, we analyse the diversity, innovativeness, and resilience of two specific manufacturing alternatives to neoliberal capitalism: the Norwegian industrial democracy and the Mondragon Cooperative Experience. The cases show that each example arises from a unique history, environment, and has unique structures. This diversity shows that there are many paths to workplace democracy, such systems are capable of innovation, and they are internationally competitive. Our comparison also reveals that no successful equilibrium is ever static. Scaling (up or out) to secure market share presents a challenge potentially existential for both models. Reviewing their efforts for meeting these challenges conclude our analysis.

Education and socioeconomic status as predictors of refugee mental health: insights from a study of Jordan-based Syrian refugee sample.

The Syrian civil war is considered as the greatest humanitarian crisis in modern history, which has resulted in a major refugee crisis. A significant concern is the high prevalence of mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Syrian refugees. While the focus of most refugee mental health research has been pre-migration trauma, post-migration challenges and stressors, which can also be significant determinants of mental health, are often ignored. The purpose of this study was to assess mental health of Syrian refugees as compared to local Jordanians, and to examine sociodemographic factors and perceived stressors that are associated with mental distress among participants. This was a cross sectional study conducted in northern region of Jordan among Syrian refugee and Jordanian adults. We used the validated Arabic version of Afghan Symptoms Checklist (ASC) to assess mental distress among participants. A total of 929 subjects (43% Syrian refugees, 56% females) participated in this study. Disparities in education, monthly income, and health insurance were significant between Syrian refugees and Jordanians, p < 0.001. The mean score in ASC was significantly higher among Syrian refugees, particularly among refugee females (mean ASC score ± standard deviation: Syrian refugee females: 58.22 ± 1.13; Syrian refugee males: 45.31 ± 1.28; Jordanian females: 51.06 ± 0.91; Jordanian males: 46.45 ± 1.08, p = 0.002). Multivariable linear regression showed that the estimated difference in the mean of ASC score between males and females is 7.42 (p < 0.001), and the estimated mean difference between Syrian refugees and Jordanians is 2.76 (p = 0.019). Interestingly, the estimated mean of ASC scores for individuals with high education level is decreased by 4.18 as compared to individuals with lower education level (high school or less), p < 0.001. Education level was highly predictable of mental distress of Syrian refugees, particularly female refugees. Enhancing higher educational opportunities is proposed for improving socioeconomic status of refugees which might serve as a buffering strategy for mental distress among this vulnerable population.

The Palestinian Diaspora: Status and Rights in Middle East and North African Countries

The Palestinian diaspora, beginning with a mass exodus following the establishment of Israel in 1948, has faced diverse and evolving challenges in Middle Eastern and North African host countries. This paper explores the historical and contemporary status of Palestinian refugees in these regions, examining the legal, social, and economic conditions they endure. While neighboring Arab states initially supported Palestinian refugees, their experiences have since been defined by prolonged refugee status and fluctuating levels of hostility. In Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Egypt, and the Gulf countries, policies have fluctuated based on geopolitical interests and local dynamics. North African countries, while offering some support, also reflect the complexities of Palestinian integration. The ongoing refugee crisis underscores the need for international efforts to address the root causes and ensure the rights and welfare of Palestinian refugees.

Do community needs affect the decision to volunteer? The case of refugees in Germany

I study the relationship between changes in community needs and the supply of voluntary work. I present basic theoretical considerations, which suggest that the relationship between voluntary work and an increase in community needs is ambiguous. Then, I test the relationship empirically by proxying community needs with the number of needy people, i.e., refugees, in a county, and by exploiting the quasi-random allocation of refugees within Germany. I find that doubling the number of refugees increases the probability of volunteering by about 2 percentage points. These estimates imply that 1.45 million people additionally volunteered during the refugee crisis, i.e., more than one person per refugee.

Decoding Online Narratives and Unraveling Complexities in the Rohingya Refugee Crisis

The Rohingya refugee crisis, a humanitarian tribulation involving the persecution of the Rohingya Muslim ethnic minority group in Myanmar, has led to a massive exodus of refugees, primarily women and children, to neighboring Bangladesh. Analyzing public opinion toward the Rohingya crisis poses a challenge due to the time complexity of manually assessing individual expressions from the vast amount of text on online platforms. This research focuses on identifying hidden patterns in online discussions surrounding the Rohingya refugee crisis, employing topic modeling and a thematic sentiment analysis-based approach. It represents the first comprehensive exploration of public views on internet spaces to support this community. In the experiment, we identified 15 coherent topics from 6,840 unique documents with a high coherence score of about 0.60. The key themes explored encompass familial resilience, the urgency of addressing the refugee crisis, complexities within the Rohingya situation, religious and cultural elements, and geopolitical considerations. Sentiment analysis revealed nuanced emotional tones, with positive sentiments in discussions about refugee support and international aid and mixed or negative sentiments in topics concerning religious dynamics and women’s protection. The implications of this research extend to guiding policymakers, humanitarian organizations, and advocacy groups in developing targeted interventions, communication strategies, and informed policy initiatives. In addition, the findings emphasize the importance of understanding and responding effectively to the multifaceted challenges faced by the Rohingya community.

Simulation of migration paths using agent-based modeling: The case of Syrian refugees en route to Turkey

The decade-long Syrian civil war has triggered a significant migration wave in the Middle East, with Turkey hosting the largest number of Syrian refugees. Our study introduces an agent-based model (ABM) designed to simulate and predict migration paths in potential future refugee crises. The primary goal is to support aid organizations in planning the delivery of essential aid services during migration movements, offering insights that can be applied to various geographical areas and migration scenarios. While we use the Syrian refugee movement to Turkey as a case study, the model is intended as a flexible tool for analyzing migration patterns in future crises. The proposed ABM considers two characteristics of refugee groups: level of risk sensitivity and level of information. To enhance the model’s functionality, we have extended the A* algorithm with a cost metric to calculate the weighted average of distance and risk to a destination point. Our case study examines the crisis in southern Idlib through six scenarios, offering insights into refugee numbers, migration paths, camp occupancy rates, and heat maps of densely populated regions for each scenario. Validation is performed by comparing model outcomes with situation reports and official statements from the relevant period, demonstrating the proposed ABM’s potential for adaptation to other migration instances and further analysis under different parameters.

Refugee Crisis, News Crisis: The Framing of Episodic and Thematic Articles

A main tenet of 21st Century journalism is to engage the public with highly informative and affective content. Through sociological journalistic processes of creating news content, however, audiences may lose the ability to completely conceptualize the level of human suffering observed in the coverage of refugee crises. This experimental survey tested the use of episodic and thematic frames in formatting American news articles about the Syrian refugee crisis of migrants landing on Grecian shores. It found that episodically framed articles increased moral understanding among Americans, as well as overall engagement in the crisis event. Respondents, however, were not more likely to participate in civic engagement about the refugee crisis with others. The results suggest that the use of episodic frames in the construction of refugee news articles may engage audiences more in the issue, however, alone are not enough to affect behavioral outcomes such as discussion. Further research should investigate the implications of framing choices made in the presentation of news stories about important issues such as mass human migrations. Keywords: framing, news, refugee, diaspora

Effectiveness to the Emergency Management in Public Organizations: A Paradigm from a European Civil Protection Mechanism

Every state's priority is public safety. In the modern world, that often needs them to work with other States. This study assesses the role of civil protection mechanisms in effective emergency management operations in public organizations based on the European perspective. Data was collected from 392 different technocrats from government civil protection agencies in Greece using an online questionnaire. The study revealed that civil protection experts positively influence effective emergency management operations in public organizations. The results revealed that early warning systems have an influence on effective emergency management operations in public organizations. Disaster risk forecasting has a positive influence on effective emergency management operations in public organizations. According to the study, crises and catastrophes have compelled the EU to improve civil protection coordination throughout the continent and its ability to conduct operations both inside and outside of Europe. It's not clear whether these cooperative EU agreements are going to succeed because national civil defense organizations aren't always similar and there isn't always enough trust between the organizations involved. This is especially true in light of recent global crises in the EU, such as the refugee crisis, terrorist attacks, and natural. It is important for public organizations across Europe to focus on enhancing early disaster warning systems, the enhancing of civil protection experts and improving disaster planning to promote effective management of emergencies.

The impact of international NGOs on refugee support and policy influence: A global analysis

The global refugee crisis has placed unprecedented demands on humanitarian systems, with international Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) playing a crucial role in supporting refugees and influencing related policies. This comprehensive review explores the multifaceted impact of international NGOs on refugee support and policy influence across diverse global contexts. By synthesizing current research, policy documents, and case studies, this paper aims to enhance understanding of NGO contributions to essential services for refugees, their strategies for policy advocacy, and the complex dynamics between NGO activities and government initiatives. The review examines the effectiveness of NGO interventions in key areas such as healthcare, education, and livelihood support, analyzing their methods of policy influence through advocacy, research, and direct engagement with policymakers. It also evaluates refugee perceptions of NGO support compared to government assistance, revealing varied experiences across different contexts and types of aid. Furthermore, the paper investigates the alignment between NGO activities and official government policies on refugee management, highlighting both collaborative successes and areas of tension. The analysis reveals that while NGOs have made significant contributions to refugee welfare and policy development, challenges remain in coordination, sustainability, and adapting to diverse cultural contexts. The paper concludes with a discussion of future research directions and recommendations for enhancing NGO effectiveness in refugee support and policy advocacy, emphasizing the need for improved coordination, cultural sensitivity, and evidence-based practices in addressing the global refugee crisis.

The Externalisation Gamble: Italy and Spain at the Forefront of Maritime Irregular Migration Governance

Irregular migration is rapidly becoming a permanent feature of the twenty-first century. Amid the European “refugee crisis”, Italy and Spain represent two major destination countries that are affected by substantial irregular flows. Despite this comparable condition, and notwithstanding the significance of their relevant policies, they have rarely been compared, a gap in the literature that this research addresses through a novel comparative analysis of their irregular migration governance. Following a broad contextualisation of destination countries’ strategies against irregular migration, this article delves into the two case studies’ external dimension of control policies from the 1990s to 2024 inclusive. In doing so, it assesses the nature of their foreign policy on irregular migration, their specific measures, and their geographical scope. It finds that there is a noticeable convergence towards readmission measures and externalisation, along with the growing use of informal deals. In terms of differences, the article highlights Italy’s much higher number of irregular arrivals compared to Spain, and the impact that this has had on domestic debates, priorities, and relevant policy formulation processes. As a novel investigation of two influential case studies, this article therefore contributes to the literature on both externalisation and Italy’s and Spain’s foreign policy.