32. Ethical Issue #8

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Assisting displaced people, refugees and local hosts

Read the quote and ask participants to provide examples from their experience, identifying the ethical problems that divided humanitarian assistance approaches create.

Policy approaches that maintain local host understanding of and commitment to the refugees' needs are therefore advised, alongside programs with mutual benefit to both hosts and refugees. Programs where the two groups benefit alongside one another (e.g., by attending the same schools or hospitals), foster a sense of integration. Where it is unavoidable that refugees be assisted separately from hosts it is appropriate to improve services for the surrounding host populations. When refugee repatriation occurs, in the immediate post-departure period, new initiatives are particularly needed that address the residual economic and ecological impact in host countries.

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"Relief systems somewhat artificially label the displaced or refugee population as distinct from the local hosts and can create tensions where people are part of common social networks, and have similar needs."

- Ken Wilson