10 CONSEQUENCES OF FORCED DISPLACEMENT - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

Some of the consequences of forced displacement are loss of identity, stress, social exclusion and mortality. Every year millions of people worldwide have been forced to abandon their homes or flee from them due to conflicts, violent events, natural disasters, and / or violations of their human rights.

It is estimated that more than 65 million are currently in dire need of protection and assistance as a result of forced displacement. This number includes refugees, internally displaced persons and asylum seekers.

Syrian children in the Suruc refugee camp, Turkey.

Most of the people who experience these forced episodes cannot return home in the short or medium term, and sometimes their return is not possible at all.

Unlike other forms of migration, where people choose to move either for a better job or to optimize their lifestyle, most of the people who are forcibly displaced are forced to leave their community without being able to choose their permanence. Many times they only carry with them what little they can carry on their shoulders.

Currently, refugees or forced migrants are coming from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Somalia, Mali and other localities plagued by serious conflicts. These have forced families to undertake dangerous journeys that, on numerous occasions, have had a fatal end.

10 consequences of forced displacement

1- Psychological stress

Adverse mental health impacts are compounded in these situations by the typical traumatic events that precipitate migration, as well as the social disadvantages that follow.

Education, healthcare, finances, employment, and discrimination can all become factors that perpetuate mental disorders. These people are therefore very likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and psychosis.

2- Development of resilience

The concept of "resilience" has been linked to mental health for quite some time. With this term, it has been sought to describe the positive associations that promote coping and adaptive skills in the face of adversity between individuals and communities.

Resilience is the ability to cope with and overcome loss and trauma. The individual and collective resilience of the community can develop and act as part of protective factors in such displacement situations.

3- Social exclusion

Tensions between hosts and immigrants can be heightened by the perception of religious, ethnic, or cultural "otherness" that can sharpen social divisions and potentially contribute to conflict.

Furthermore, the policy (directly or indirectly) discriminates against immigrant and migrant populations, structurally excluding these groups so that they remain at a low level of education, a lower level of employment, vulnerable to crime and rejection by the population.

This marginalization usually generates a series of tensions that can diminish the stability of the communities.

4- Spread of diseases

Overcrowding and inadequate sanitation systems are common in the refugee camps. Because of this, certain diseases can easily spread in a short time.

Among these are diarrhea, which is particularly worrisome in emergency situations, when associated with epidemic-prone diseases such as cholera, dysentery and typhoid fever.

Other diseases such as measles (common among children) or acute respiratory infections, among others that are easily transmitted, can also spread.

5- Mortality

If the above-mentioned diseases become complicated, there is a risk of mortality. Also, in refugee camps, where food is scarce and where refugees depend on food rations, nutrient deficiency diseases can emerge.

Severe malnutrition can result in deadly conditions, especially among children.

6- Economic effects

There may be positive or negative economic consequences, depending on the country and the policies it implements.

In the event that forced migrants are in large numbers and have moved to a region without sufficient resources, it places great pressure on public services, infrastructure and the public sector. This can lead to unemployment and decrease local investment.

In advanced countries with integration and planning plans for these people, the arrival of young people willing to work in particular is likely to accelerate the long-term growth rate of the economy.

In any case, there is no doubt how important it is for the breadwinner of the displaced person to quickly find a good job that helps alleviate their difficult family situation, and thus be able to overcome poverty.

7- Family reunification

In many cases, due to the limited resources these people possess upon arriving in the new country / city, most refugees seek to congregate among various family groups and create spontaneous settlements.

This can lead to new or larger family nuclei, which can serve as support during time away from home, or forever.

8- Division of families

In some cases, the displaced are not so lucky to continue with their families, either because they did not survive the tragedy, because they cannot find them, or because they were assigned different places as a new destination.

This situation causes the family nucleus to be divided, families to disperse and some refugees are left completely alone.

9- Reproductive health disorders

In times of turmoil, reproductive health services (including prenatal care, assisted delivery, and emergency obstetric care) are often not available, making young women more vulnerable.

These women lose access to family planning services, and are exposed to unwanted pregnancy in dangerous conditions.

10- Breaking one's identity

An individual's personality is largely shaped by his childhood memories. These memories turn into strength and confidence, which are reflected in various aspects of your daily routine and functioning.

A man's association with places, people, relationships, activities, and structures provides his identity. This identity is crucial as it provides the foundation on which you can learn to know and relate to others and yourself.

Forced displacement breaks with the established identity, stripping the person of it abruptly, for a certain time or forever.

References

1. Robert Stewart (2013). Forced migration and mental health. Oxford Academy. Recovered from: academic.oup.com.
2. Chrichton, J. (2015). Human Rights: Topic guide. University of Birmingham. Recovered from: gsdrc.org.
3. Columbia University Staff (2015). Forced Migration. Columbia University. Recovered from: columbia.edu.
4. Hena Jawaid (2017). An Immigration Phenomena: The Effects of Forced Migration. Psych Central. Recovered from: psychcentral.com.