This article provides a critical examination of the current extensive promotion of ‘self-reliance’ for refugees. The existing scholarship largely ignores the unsuccessful historical record of international assistance to foster refugees’ self-reliance and fails to discuss its problematic linkages to neoliberalism and the notion of ‘dependency’. The article reveals that the current conceptualisation and practice of self-reliance are largely shaped by the priorities of international donors that aim to create cost-effective exit strategies from long-term refugee populations. The authors argue that where uncritically interpreted and applied, the promotion of self-reliance can result in unintended and undesirable consequences for refugees’ well-being and protection.
Publishing Organizations: Refugee Self-Reliance Initiative, RefugePoint, RELON Uganda, and R-SEAT
Publishing Organizations: Refugee Self-Reliance Initiative
Authors: Dr. Evan Easton-Calabria
Publishing Organizations: Refugee Self-Reliance Initiative
Authors: Refugee Self-Reliance Market Systems Development Working Group
Publishing Organizations: RefugePoint and the Refugee Self-Reliance Initiative in partnership with refugee-led organizations operating in Nairobi, Kenya
Publishing Organizations: GIZ, WINS Global Consult
Publishing Organizations: International Journal of Educational Development | Volume 101
Authors: Preeti Dagar
Publishing Organizations: Refugee Self-Reliance Initiative
Publishing Organizations: U-Learn (Uganda Learning, Evidence, Accountability and Research Network), Impact Initiatives, Uganda Livelihood and Resilience Technical Working Group
Publishing Organizations: Trickle Up
Authors:
Publishing Organizations: Refugee-Led Research Hub, Refugee Studies Centre
Authors: Foni Joyce Vuni, Buhendwa Iragi