Community integration model and the relationship between refugees and host communities in IMVEPI refugee host community, Uganda

Abstract

With increasing number of refugees in Uganda, there have been growing rates of threats of poor socio-economic relationship between refugees and host community members. As a result, the researcher conducted a study, to examine the impact of community integration model of refugee settlement and its relationship between refugees and the host communities in Imvepi refugee settlement. The study sought to answer question the following questions: How has the community integration model affected the social relationship between refugees and host community of Imvepi refugee settlement? What is the nature of economic relationship between community integrated refugees and the host community of Imvepi refugee settlement? How far are the existing strategies put in place to ensure smooth socio-economic relationship between refugees and the host community fit for their purpose? To achieve this, a local integration theoretical framework was adopted to guide the study. A mixed methods approach and a cross sectional research design in which the study population was sampled through purposive and simple random sampling. Data were collected using both interviews and questionnaire methods, and was analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. The findings of the study reveal that the community integration model is clearly understood by the refugees, host communities, office of the prime minister, development partners and humanitarian agencies as the best model although some shortcomings are highlighted. The findings also reveal that the socio-economic relationship between refugees and the host community is good given the common interests mainly driven by the market forces of demand and supply. However, there are small pockets of conflicts that arise between refugees and host communities due to competition for scarce resources mainly land. However, the findings also reveal that there are strategies put in place specifically to promote the smooth relationship between refugees and host community members. Nevertheless, these strategies are limited by a few hiccups mainly anchored on the failure by the OPM, Local Government Authorities, security officers and development partners to play their roles. Therefore, a holistic approach to promoting smooth socio-economic relationship between refugees and host community members through community integration is recommended by the study. Discussion and implication of this study are herein presented.