Where to next? The evolving situation of Eritreans on the Move
Ethiopia and Sudan have been the major first countries of refuge for Eritreans for decades. Likewise, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Europe have been major destination countries for Eritreans escaping their country. However, civil wars and violence have made large parts of Ethiopia and Sudan unliveable and restrictive immigration regimes have made Saudi Arabia, Israel and Europe unreachable. For those who had already settled in these locations, camp closures, deportations and changes to visa processes have also necessitated that they either move on, or face being more forcibly removed. Given how spaces of refuge are shrinking for Eritreans, this research asks: Where are Eritreans looking for refuge now? The project specifically investigates the decision-making of secondary displaced Eritreans in Ethiopia (Addis Ababa), Egypt (Cairo) and in Uganda (Kampala). Based on 40 interviews with secondary displaced Eritreans and 20 interviews with key informants, the study explores how people decide about their next destination given the shrinking possibilities ahead of them and the role of social (networks) and financial (remittances) mechanisms in supporting Eritreans’ mobility. The research is also exploring Eritreans’ hopes for the future and questions how governments and international organisations can support Eritreans on the move. The research is supported by the Mixed Migration Center and the Danish Refugee Council. The presentation is based on preliminary analyses and all feedback from the audience will be welcome.
The seminar will take place on Zoom, please click on this link to join. You can find the previous Migration Seminars in this YouTube playlist.
For further information, please contact Soha Youssef (convenor of the Migration Seminar series, on behalf of UNU-MERIT & MACIMIDE): youssef@merit.unu.edu