Violence often takes place in refugee camps in many countries. According to multiple sources including the BBC, violence took place between rival factions at the Ein el-Hilweh camp — the largest refugee camp in Lebanon where there are more than 63,000 registered refugees — this week, leading to several deaths and fleeing of around two thousand refugees from the camp. But this is not the only event of camp violence. Among others, violence in the Kutupalong refugee camp in Bangladesh, the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya, the Za’atari camp in Jordan, the Moria camp in Greece and the Yida camp in South Sudan is notable. Among refugee camps, the Dadaab camp has experienced numerous incidents of violence and unrest.
It is to note that security based and other efforts are in place to ensure safety and prevent violence in refugee camps across the world. There are strict security measures including the presence of security personnel and regular patrols in refugee camps. There is also the presence of humanitarian organizations and the implementation of community-based programs that promote conflict resolution. Consequently, law and order are mostly restored immediately after the violence and conflicts are often prevented and resolved in refugee camps. But these efforts often face challenges including limited funding, resources and security measures. There exist inadequate security measures and a lack of effective communication channels in many refugee camps across the world. The absence of, or inadequate, conflict mitigation arrangement/mechanism further exacerbates the vulnerability to camp violence.
There are also ethnicity based and other causes that lead to violence in refugee camps. Overcrowding and tensions between rival groups, ethnic, religious or other groups, are crucial causes of violence at refugee camps. Many refugee camps including the Zaatari camp, the Kutupalong camp and the Dadaab camp are overcrowded. But overcrowding — which leads to a lack of privacy and limited resources — heightens tensions among the residents, leading to violence in many camps. Overcrowding and limited access to basic necessities fueled conflicts between ethnic groups in the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya. Among others, the trauma and stress experienced by refugees driven by insecure living conditions in camps and several other factors can exacerbate existing tensions and result in further violence within the camps.
But violence in the refugee camps not only kills inmates and poses a threat to the safety and well-being of the refugees but also hampers efforts to provide them with essential services and support. Violence increases tensions among different groups, leads to a breakdown of social structures and hinders efforts toward peaceful coexistence in the camps. The acts of violence that create conditions of fear and insecurity also make it often difficult for refugees to access food, water and healthcare in the camps. Violence sometimes makes it even more challenging for refugees to rebuild their lives and integrate into society. According to multiple sources, many refugees find it difficult to cope with their circumstances and chances of successfully resettling in new localities.
It is desired that violence in refugee camps is addressed. For this, improved safety measures and protection for displaced people are crucial with the implementation of strict security measures. But the emphasis on several aspects including access control measures for all individuals entering the camp and the identification of suspicious activities or potential threats will be helpful. But ethnic tensions based and other causes of violence definitely need to be resolved. The establishment of effective mediation and conflict resolution arrangements — which provide a platform for refugees to address their grievances and work towards peaceful resolutions — may also be helpful in preventing and resolving conflicts in many refugee camps.
Community engagement programs also need to be established to reduce the chance of violence within the camp by promoting peaceful coexistence among refugees and fostering a sense of belonging. But security and conflict resolution measures are needed more in violence prone camps including the Dadaab camp. It is crucial for governments, international organizations and local communities to work together. But putting emphasis on the well-being of refugees, along with sustainable solutions to the problems of safety in the camps, is also imperative. Among other steps, providing psychosocial support to refugees, which may help address trauma, may reduce the risk of violence.
