Socio-Economic Impacts of Refugee and Refugee Camp on the Host Communities: in the Case of Bambasi Refugee Camp, Benishangul-Gumuz Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Refugees as people crossing international borders in order to escape from conflict or Human right violation have been a major global challenge. Therefore; the study basically aims at investigating the socio-economic impact of refugees in the Bambasi refugee camp on the host community in Benishangul Gumuz Region. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative research methods for data col- lection and analyses. In the study, descriptive research design was employed. The study used ques- tionnaires, interviews, document reviewing and discussion with focus groups as research tools. On the basis and types of data gathered and the instrument used, the quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS and the qualitative data was annualized thematically. The result of the study indicates that the presence of refugee and establishment of refugee camp has greatly affected the livelihood of the host communities who are living around the camp. As the study indicated the existence of the refugee camp in this vicinity, the host communities got better health and education services, clean water and elec- tricity that did not exist before. Thus, to improve the lives of host communities and refugee Ethiopian government should reform camp policies which necessarily defend the social and economic condition of the local communities who are living around the camp