Reviewing the evidence base for reintegrating populations displaced by conflict

This study examines the displacement and reintegration of minority communities into majority populations through 4 South Asia case studies

Abstract

This study examines the displacement and reintegration of minority communities into majority populations through the lens of 4 case studies from South Asia – the Hazaras in Afghanistan, the Rohingyas in Myanmar, the Kashmiri Pandits in India and the Tamils in Sri Lanka. It documents lessons from previous reintegration experiences and approaches, including those conducted in regions outside South Asia, and seeks to identify factors that are required for successful reintegration as well as conditions that are believed to undermine the prospects of success. The range of case studies selected enables a more complete understanding of the factors that enable or deter reintegration, in particular factors associated with the conflict itself as well as socioeconomic conditions and policies in both the place of origin and the place of displacement. They also enable an examination of different types of integration or reintegration including different national government, local government, international donors, and civil society approaches. The study first reviews the broader conceptual literature and literature associated with cases beyond South Asia, drawing lessons from those, before focusing on the South Asian cases and attempting to apply some of the findings to their specific contexts. The authors adopted a comprehensive set of eligibility parameters for the literature, including for example, grey literature alongside peer-reviewed academic content.

This work was produced by Michael Jones and Aaditya Dave with the assistance of the UK Department for International Development as part of the ‘Strengthening resilience and response to crises’ programme managed by DAI Consortium

Citation

Michael Jones and Aaditya Dave (2019) Reviewing the evidence base for reintegrating populations displaced by conflict. DFID

Reviewing the evidence base for reintegrating populations displaced by conflict

Published 1 November 2019