Working with refugees and war affected communities: post-conflict development

There are over 65 million individuals around the world - refugees and internally displaced persons- who fled their homes and live in precarious conditions. While each refugee crisis is unique, in every situation, children often face the most difficult circumstances. Children uprooted from their communities at an early age, and growing up in unstable environments, are particularly prone to suffering long term consequences as a result.

Protracted Refugee Situations
In protracted refugee crises, international aid agencies, as well as governments tend to diminish funding for assistance programs as other situations arise that require attention and refugees return home progressively. Furthermore, in order to promote an early return to the home country, voluntary repatriation and legal assistance programs tend to replace other forms of aid, leaving many refugees struggling on a day to day basis. While refugees across the world have shown their resilience and ability to overcome the challenges of surviving in exile, in these uncertain periods of time, which can last for many years, children grow up in very difficult conditions. The impossibility of planning for the future and of identifying challenges ahead mean that few strategies are in place to address their immediate and long term needs.

As the crisis refugees flee from fades away and is replaced by another conflict or emergency for international organizations to focus their attention on, funding and programs are diminished over time. Faced with dwindling assistance as time passes, refugees in host countries also have to deal with the lack of access to social services (education, health, unemployment, etc), to the local job market, and are faced with many restrictions on a daily basis. Living in a country with a precarious legal status inevitably leads to precarious livelihoods.

Repatriation
Only a small percentage of refugees in the world have the opportunity to resettle in a Western nation. The majority of refugees remain in camps in their country of asylum until their home nation stabilizes. Once security returns to a war torn nation, the most viable long term solution is repatriation. Refugees return to the country that they originally fled and attempt to rebuild their lives, with - or sometimes without - the assistance of the UNHCR and their govenerment.

The UNHCR and/or some government agencies provide transportation and some supplies (or a small stipend) to registered refugees during the period of repatriation exercises. Thousands of other refugees must find their own way to return to their country. For the refugees who have no home or family to return to, the prospect of returning to a place of great trauma is daunting. In protracted refugee situations, hundreds of thousands of refugees have been away from their homeland for a decade or more, thousands of children have never known what it is like to live outside of a camp.

The fear of the unknown, the traumatic memories that remain and the logistical difficulties inherent in packing up and beginning again all create a difficult transition for refugees during the repatriation process. Most often, refugees face these challenges head on, eager to return home and give up the label "refugee." The opportunity to settle down and work for a better future holds great appeal.

Post Conflict Development
A nation ravaged by war faces a steep road to stability, even after peace has been re-established - families have been separated, years of education interrupted, infrastructure demolished. As refugees return, they must again obtain a place to live, employment, schooling for their children in areas where roads are impassable and electricity does not exist. They also must reintegrate into a society that they have been away from for an extended period.

Throughout all of these circumstances, refugee and war-affected communities have to rely on their ability to provide for themselves. In this context, community based initiatives offer essential social services and are often the sole dependable source of support. In addition, community based organizations contribute to the vitality of civil society, giving individuals a chance to positively influence their communities and contribute to the resolution of common problems. Involved individuals thrive and are empowered through their role in the development and management of these initiatives, and communities are strengthened by the presence of services and entrepreneurship.

It is our belief that assisting commmunity leaders in their efforts to effect positive social change is one of the most effective ways to ensure that post-conflict development activities correspond to the needs of war-affected communities, and in line with their ability to maintain, manage and grow these initiatives.

By strengthening communities, enabling leaders and encouraging social entrepreneurship, we hope to help create a stable, safe and empowering environment for war-affected children.