Research Report Mapping the Structure of Well-Being and Social Networks of Refugees
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A Case Study of Afghan Refugees in Peshawar, Pakistan
Ammar A. Malik, Edward Mohr, Yasemin Irvin-Erickson, Loren Landau, Caroline Wanjiku-Kihato, Benjamin Edwards
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Despite strong ethnic, linguistic and religious similarities with host communities, the presence of Afghan refugees since the 1970s has fundamentally altered Peshawar’s social fabric. Using an original household survey, we explore the structures and forms of refugees’ social networks and their relationship with economic well-being. We find that refugees maintain networks both within refugee and host communities, gaining critical help in finding jobs and housing, besides financial and emotional support. We recommend strengthening refugees’ capacity to self-organize via community-based interventions and clarifying the future of their legal status in Pakistan.

Research Areas Global issues Neighborhoods, cities, and metros
Tags Refugees and global migration Immigrants and the economy International urban development and the environment Job opportunities Federal, state, and local immigration and integration policy International development and governance