This small, qualitative study explores the personal testimonies of people who were exposed to dramatically altered circumstances within southern Somalia after the State collapsed in 1991. It explores the complexities of their responses to these, including how most tried to adapt and yet how their abilities proved fragile, and how others left earlier rather than attempt this. Over time, exile was the preferred solution for all, while this article looks at the natures of their individual responses to conflict, danger, loss, and severe disruption. It shows that their responses were complicated and considered, and that these individuals needed both physical and emotional abilities to stay, as connected with issues of practicality, risk, and willingness or hope. This article argues that through a better understanding of such responses to refugee causal factors, more effective solutions to the challenges of refugee migration could be found. © The Author [2011]. All rights reserved.

persecution Asylum Refugee decision-making Somalia Conflict

Somalia migration determinant refugee decision making asylum seeker social conflict