By Matthew Scott, Leader of the Human Rights and the Environment Thematic Area
The Raoul Wallenberg Institute (RWI) and Lund University have partnered on an innovative project, “Refugee Decision-making in First Countries of Asylum” (ReDeFi), to deepen our understanding of how refugees make critical life choices in challenging conditions. With more than 80% of the world’s refugees hosted in low- and middle-income countries, this project explores how refugees decide whether to stay, relocate, or seek new livelihoods, focusing on countries like Turkey and Lebanon.
Why ReDeFi is Essential
Many refugees are left with limited options in countries of asylum, where they often face restrictive environments and prolonged uncertainty. Decisions around whether to remain, move onward, or seek employment elsewhere have significant impacts not only on their lives but also on refugee support systems globally. Current policies tend to overlook the factors that drive these decisions, often focusing only on immediate needs rather than on individual perspectives and strategies.
ReDeFi brings a fresh perspective by combining risk management theories with refugee studies to analyze these choices in a holistic way. The project emphasizes that, like anyone else, refugees weigh risks, opportunities, and long-term goals when making choices. Here’s how the project is breaking new ground:
- Risk-based Framework: ReDeFi uses principles of risk management to understand refugees’ perceptions of safety, risk, and opportunity. This approach goes beyond traditional assessments that focus only on vulnerability and needs, providing a nuanced view of refugee decision-making.
- Data-Driven Insights: Using a mix of qualitative interviews, ReDeFi captures real-world factors such as legal access, economic conditions, and social networks that influence refugees’ decisions.
- Cross-Regional Perspective: By focusing on Turkey and Lebanon, the project contrasts refugee experiences across different policy environments, providing insights with broad applicability to global refugee policies.
The Impact of ReDeFi
The insights from ReDeFi could transform how governments and international organizations understand and respond to refugee mobility:
- Informing Policy: The project identifies gaps in protection and highlights vulnerable populations, equipping policymakers with the tools needed for more effective, targeted support.
- Strengthening Refugee Support Systems: Insights from ReDeFi can help create policies that support refugee self-reliance, minimizing dependency, and empowering refugees with choices.
- Shaping Future Approaches: By focusing on refugees’ own perceptions and risk evaluations, ReDeFi highlights the importance of considering refugee voices in policy decisions, fostering a more inclusive approach to global refugee support.
Through ReDeFi, RWI, and Lund University drive the development of more effective, sustainable, and dignified support systems that respect the agency of refugees and better equip communities to respond to complex refugee needs.