Publication: Effects of refugee settlements on the host communities around Dadaab refugee camps in Northern Kenya
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2024-04
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Mount Kenya University
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Abstract
The refugees’ arrival has profound and far-reaching benefits as well as challenges both on
social-economic, environmental aspects and political aspects on the population of the hosting
country. Regrettably, sometimes arrival of these refugees creates imbalance that leads to
resentment within the host community, with them attributing their problems to the refugees.
Majority of host communities are dotted by deplorable living conditions occasioned by high
poverty levels and lack of public infrastructure and stretched social installations. Thus, the
purposed to assess the effects of refugee settlements on the host community around Dadaab
refugee camps in northern Kenya. The study objectives included to establish the effect of camp
social facilities, infrastructure projects, humanitarian aid, and emergent markets on the host
community. The study is grounded in refugee aid and development theory and economic theory.
Qualitative research technique aided to assess the nature of tensions between refugees and hosts
in the Dadaab refugee camps. The target population comprised of 177 respondents including
Community leaders (36), Household heads (113) and Public administration (28) living within
the Dadaab refugee camps of Dagahaley, Ifo, and Hagadera in northern Kenya. The unit of
analysis was community leaders, public administrators, and household heads. The study used
the census technique due to the small size of the population. The study used mixed research
approach, The census method is a research to sample all the 177 respondents including
Community leaders (36), Household heads (113) and Public administration (28) living within
the Dadaab refugee camps of Dagahaley, Ifo, and Hagadera in northern Kenya. To select this
sample the study employed simple random technique to select the total sample population. The
questionnaire and key informant interview guide were main data collection instruments. Data
were analyzed using descriptive statistics method. Also multiple regression analysis was done
to establish the relationship between the study variable. The analysis was done with the aid of
a statistical software for social sciences (SPSS version 26). Results were presented in form of
frequencies percentages and pie-charts. Results revealed given all the factors held constant the
host community environment will improve by 1.310 units. In addition, each predictor variable
depicted different a positive and significant influence of predicted variable. The predictor
variable which were camp social facilities, infrastructure projects, humanitarian aid, and
emergent markets, depicted an impact on the host community by 0.246 units, 1.323 units, 0.158
units, and 0.276 units, respectively. This means that, any unit increment in camp social facilities
will lead to improvement on host community by 0.246. Also a unit change in infrastructure
projects will lead to 1.323 unit improvement in the host community. Additionally, a unit change
in humanitarian aid enhances the livelihood of the host community by 0.158 units. Lastly, a
unit change in emergent markets will lead to improvement of host community by 0.276 unit.
Moreover, the results suggest that a comprehensive and integrated approach, addressing
multiple facets of community development, can lead to a positive and sustainable impact on
host communities. The recommendation of the study was to recognize that the substantial
impact of emerging markets (EM) is key and that enhancement and expansion of community
facilities were contribute to the overall quality of life for residents. Lastly, collaborating with
humanitarian organizations to provide essential services and support livelihoods.
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Keywords
Refugees, Emerging markets, Descriptive statistics method, Public administration, Public infrastructure