The decision for refugees to return should be an 'informed decision' based on "objective, accurate and neutral" information, including on the limits of assistance upon return [UNHCR, 1996]. This article presents findings from the spontaneous return of refugees from Kenya to Somalia in 2014 to illustrate the risks that uninformed decisions, and the weakness of networks, can pose post-return. Without information and networks, returnees fall short of the levels of preparedness and resource mobilisation [Cassarino, 2004] needed to make returns a positive and sustainable experience. Based on 160 qualitative interviews with refugee returnees and key informants, in Kenya and in Somalia in 2014-2015, this paper asks the following: were refugees' access to information and networks in 2014 sufficient to allow for a sustainable return to Somalia?.

Reintegration Refugees Networks return Information Somalia Kenya

Somalia return migration accessibility refugee Kenya qualitative analysis decision making