Problems of Social Vulnerability of Internally Displaced Persons and Forced Migrants

Author

Novak Iryna

a Ph.D. in Economics, a leading research fellow at the Department of Human Development Researches of the NAS of Ukraine Mykhailo Ptukha Institute of Demography and Social Studies. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4579-2470

Problems of Social Vulnerability of Internally Displaced Persons and Forced Migrants

Abstract

The article is dedicated to the analysis of the problems of social vulnerability of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and forced migrants. Basing on data from the United Nations Organization, the International Organization for Migration, the International Labour Organization and data from sociological surveys of IDPs and forced migrants, the dynamic changes in the number of these population groups, their main socio-demographic characteristics, problems and risks of social rejection, intentions to return to their places of permanent residence and integration potential in the new place of stay have been studied.

It is concluded that there is the high level of multifactorial social vulnerability of IDPs and forced migrants, most of whom are women with children, the elderly, the disabled, and orphans. Because of the destruction of social, economic, and cultural ties, IDPs and forced migrants have increased risks of social rejection from the political, economic life and social surroundings, the sphere of culture and education, the services of the health care system and social protection. There are reasons for the formation of significant manifestations of rejection among IDPs, in particular in terms of access to structural and economic resources to ensure basic social and economic human rights, and positions that provide an opportunity to gain access to such resources. Assessments of the integration of IDPs by the communities that receive them may indicate the presence of certain barriers to the integration of IDPs in their new place of residence.

It is shown that the loss of human potential is the most negative consequence of large-scale forced migration and internal displacement of the population for the territorial communities of Ukraine. At the same time, for communities hosting IDPs, population growth can become a driver of local development.

Keywords

internally displaced peoples, forced migrants, social vulnerability, social engagement, social rejection.

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