Overview

Popular images of refugees depict thousands of traumatized people pouring across borders, congregating in camps where relief agencies try to meet their health and food needs in and outside camps. This book explores the economic life of refugees in protracted situations in a variety of settings: in camps, in urban areas and in third countries in the West. In The Economic Life of Refugees, Karen Jacobsen stresses that refugees fleeing violence and persecution are economic actors. She explores how some of the innovative ideas influencing migration theory can be applied to the study of refugees, and the ways in which humanitarian programs can support their efforts to pursue their livelihoods.

Full Product Details

9781565492042

Table of Contents

Reviews

The ways in which refugees and other forced migrants pursue livelihoods has been curiously under-researched until relatively recently, and Karen Jacobsen has produced a useful primer drawing together well the disparate strands of work in this field. The overall purpose of the book is to explore forcibly displaced people as economic actors... this volume contains much rich local level material in which lies its strength...if this volume prompts more researchers and practitioners to explore key issues surrounding livelihoods among forced migrants, it will have more than served its purpose.

Author Information

Karen Jacobsen is a Visiting Associate Professor, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University. She is also Visiting Associate Professor of International Diplomacy, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University. She is the author of numerous articles on refugee, migration and security issues. In addition, Karen is the Director of the Refugee and Forced Migration Program at Tufts. A key component of this program is the Alchemy Project that conducts research on refugee livelihoods and helps provide funding and resources for livelihood programs in refugee camps and conflict affected areas in Africa.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available