Journal of Refugee Studies
Volume 27, Issue 1, 2014, Pages 146-159

Sudanese refugees in cairo: Remittances and livelihoods (Article)

Jacobsen K. , Ayoub M. , Johnson A.
  • a Feinstein International Center, Tufts University, United States
  • b Center for Migration and Refugee Studies, The American University in Cairo, Egypt
  • c Center for Migration and Refugee Studies, The American University in Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

Many refugees become 'stuck' in the urban centres of transit countries, unable to move onward or to return home. This study explored the livelihoods of Sudanese refugees in Cairo, and the extent to which remittances supported them. We found that 89 per cent of our respondents were economically active, but their income seldom covered their rent plus subsistence. A quarter of our sample received remittances, but these are not a reliable source of income. An important coping strategy for refugees is borrowing, but this increases their vulnerability. We recommend that humanitarian programmes should focus on enabling refugees to minimize their debt and increase their income, by taking advantage of existing skills, or learning new ones. © The Author 2013. Published by Oxford University Press.All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

Sudanese refugees Urban refugees Livelihoods Egypt

Index Keywords

urban area socioeconomic conditions income refugee remittance Cairo [Egypt] subsistence Egypt coping strategy Sudan
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84896086721&doi=10.1093%2fjrs%2ffet029&partnerID=40&md5=0d1a292ffa10fef1be51ff5b0b6c4f73
DOI: 10.1093/jrs/fet029
ISSN: 09516328
Cited by: 13
Original Language: English