Description
The article discusses the long-term security implications of protracted refugee situations. It notes that refugee populations are a principal source of many irregular movements of people around the world, and that many host states in the developing world have enacted policies of containing refugees in isolated and insecure camps. The article also discusses the security implications of refugee camps being breeding grounds for international terrorism and rebel movements.
Protracted refugee populations not only constitute over 70% of the world's refugees but are also a principal source of many of the irregular movements of people around the world today. The long-term presence of refugee populations in much of the developing world has come to be seen by many host states in these regions as a source of insecurity. In response, host governments have enacted policies of containing refugees in isolated and insecure camps, have prevented the arrival of additional refugees and, in extreme cases, have engaged in forcible repatriation. Not surprisingly, these refugee populations are also increasingly perceived as possible sources of insecurity for Western states. Refugee camps are sometimes breeding grounds for international terrorism and rebel movements. These groups often exploit the presence of refugees to engage in activities.